whatever, had got into the one intended for me; and never awoke
from a most refreshing slumber, till shaken by the shoulder by the
postillion, who whispered in his ear--"here we are sir; this is the
gate."

"But why stop at the gate? Drive up the avenue, my boy."

"His honor told me, sir, not for the world to go farther than the lodge;
nor to make as much noise as a mouse."

"Ah! very true. He may be very irritable, poor man! Well stop here, and
I'll get out."

Just as the doctor had reached the ground, a very smart-looking soubrette
tripped up, and said to him--

"Beg pardon, sir; but you are the gentleman from the barrack, sir?"

"Yes, my dear," said Fitz., with a knowing look at the pretty face of the
damsel, "what can I do for you?"

"Why sir, my mistress is here in the shrubbery; but she is so nervous,
and so frightened, I don't know how she'll go through it."

"Ah! she's frightened, poor thing; is she? Oh! she must keep up her
spirits, while there's life there's hope."

"Sir."

"I say, my darling, she must not give way. I'll speak to her a little.
Is not he rather advanced in life?"

"Oh, Lord! no sir. Only two-and-thirty, my mistress tells me?"

"Two-and-thirty! Why I thought he was above sixty."

"Above sixty! Law! sir. You have a bright fancy. This is the
gentleman, ma'am. Now sir, I'll just slip aside for a moment, and let
you talk to her."

"I am grieved, ma'am, that I have not the happiness to make your
acquaintance under happier circumstances."

"I must confess, sir--though I am ashamed"--

"Never be ashamed, ma'am. Your grief, although, I trust causeless, does
you infinite honor."

"Upon my soul she is rather pretty," said the doctor to himself here.

"Well, sir! as I have the most perfect confidence in you, from all I have
heard of you, I trust you will not think me abrupt in saying that any
longer delay here is dangerous."

"Dangerous! Is he in so critical a state as that then?"

"Critical a state, sir! Why what do you mean?"

"I mean, ma'am, do you think, then, it must be done to-day?"

"Of course I do, sir, and I shall never leave the spot without your
assuring me of it."

"Oh! in that case make your mind easy. I have the instruments in the
chaise."

"The instruments in the chaise! Really, sir, if you are not jesting--I
trust you don't think this is a fitting time for such--I entreat of you
to speak more plainly and intelligibly."

"Jesting, ma'am! I'm