'Well, Lady Arabella, I'll endeavour not to do so.'
'I am sure I would not give any pain if I could help it, much less to you. But there are occasions, doctor, in which duty must be paramount; paramount to all other considerations, you know; and, certainly this occasion is one of them.'
'But what is the occasion, Lady Arabella?'
'I'll tell you, doctor. You know what Frank's position is?'
'Frank's position! as regards what?'
'Why, his position in life; an only son, you know.'
'Oh, yes; I know his position in that respect; an only son, and his father's heir; and a very fine fellow he is. You have but one son, Lady Arabella, and you may well be proud of him.'
Lady Arabella sighed. She did not wish at the present moment to express herself as being in any way proud of Frank. She was desirous rather, on the other hand, of showing that she was a good deal ashamed of him; only not quite so much ashamed of him as it behoved the doctor to be of his niece.
'Well, perhaps so; yes,' said Lady Arabella, 'he is, I believe, a very good young man, with an excellent disposition; but, doctor, his position is very precarious; and he is just at that time of life when every caution is necessary.'
To the doctor's ears, Lady Arabella was now talking of her son as a mother might of her infant when hooping-cough was abroad or croup imminent. 'There is nothing on earth the matter with him, I should say,' said the doctor. 'He has every possible sign of perfect health.'
'Oh, yes; his health! Yes, thank God, his health is good; that is a great blessing.' And Lady Arabella thought of her four flowerets that had already faded. 'I am sure I am most thankful to see him growing up so strong. But it is not that I mean, doctor.'
'Then what is it, Lady Arabella?'
'Why, doctor, you know the squire's position with regard to money matters?'
Now the doctor undoubtedly did know the squire's position with regard to money matters,—knew it much better than did Lady Arabella; but he was by no means inclined to talk on that subject to her ladyship. He remained quite silent, therefore, although Lady Arabella's last speech had taken the form of a question. Lady Arabella was a little offended at this want of freedom on his part, and became somewhat sterner in her tone—a thought less condescending in her manner.
'The squire has unfortunately embarrassed the property, and Frank must look forward to inherit it with very heavy encumbrances; I fear very heavy indeed, though of what exact nature I am kept in ignorance.'
