so from a selfish fear lest she, who was now all his own, should be known to the world as belonging to others rather than to him? He had taken upon him on her behalf to reject wealth as valueless; and yet he had no sooner done so than he began to consume his hours with reflecting how great to her would be the value of wealth. And thus, when Sir Roger told him, as he left the room, that he had ruined Mary's fortune, he was hardly able to bear the taunt with equanimity.
On the next morning, after paying his professional visit to his patient, and satisfying himself that the end was now drawing near with steps terribly quickened, he went down to Greshamsbury.
'How long is this to last, uncle?' said his niece, with sad voice, as he again prepared to return to Boxall Hill.
'Not long, Mary; do not begrudge him a few more hours of life.'
'No, I do not, uncle. I will say nothing more about it. Is his son with him?' And then, perversely enough, she persisted in asking numerous questions about Louis Scatcherd.
'Is he likely to marry, uncle?'
'I hope so, my dear.'
'Will he be so very rich?'
'Yes; ultimately he will be very rich.'
'He will be a baronet, will he not?'
'Yes, my dear.'
'What is he like, uncle?'
'Like—I never know what a young man is like. He is like a man with red hair.'
'Uncle, you are the worst hand in describing I ever knew. If I'd seen him for five minutes, I'd be bound to make a portrait of him; and you, if you were describing a dog, you'd only say what colour his hair was.'
'Well, he's a little man.'
'Exactly, just as I should say that Mrs. Umbleby had a red-haired little dog. I wish I had known these Scatcherds, uncle. I do so admire people that can push themselves in the world. I wish I had known Sir Roger.'
'You will never know him now, Mary.'
'I suppose not. I am so sorry for him. Is Lady Scatcherd nice?'
'She is an excellent woman.'
'I hope I may know her some day. You are so much there now, uncle; I wonder whether you ever mention me to them. If you do, tell her from me how much I grieve for her.'
That same night Dr. Thorne again found himself alone with
