Scatcherd, the baronet took no account in his proposed sojourn in the country, nor did he take much of the doctor in leaving Greshamsbury. He again wrapped himself in his furs, and, with tottering steps, climbed up into the barouche which was to carry him away.
'Is my man up behind?' he said to Janet, while the doctor was standing at the little front garden-gate, making his adieux.
'No, sir, he's not up yet,' said Janet, respectfully.
'Then send him out, will you? I can't lose my time waiting here all day.'
'I shall come over to Boxall Hill and see you,' said the doctor, whose heart softened towards the man, in spite of his brutality, as the hour of his departure came.
'I shall be happy to see you if you like to come, of course; that is, in the way of visiting, and that sort of thing. As for doctoring, if I want any I shall send for Fillgrave.' Such were his last words as the carriage, with a rush, went off from the door.
The doctor as he re-entered the house, could not avoid smiling, for he thought of Dr. Fillgrave's last patient at Boxall Hill. 'It's a question to me,' said he to himself, 'whether Dr. Fillgrave will ever be induced to make another visit to that house, even with the object of rescuing a baronet out of my hands.'
'He's gone; isn't he, uncle?' said Mary, coming out of her room.
'Yes, my dear; he's gone, poor fellow!'
'He may be a poor fellow, uncle; but he's a very disagreeable inmate in a house. I have not had any dinner these two days.'
'And I haven't had what can be called a cup of tea since he's been in the house. But I'll make up for that to-night.'
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
DE COURCY PRECEPTS AND DE COURCY PRACTICE.
There is a mode of novel-writing which used to be much in vogue, but which has now gone out of fashion. It is, nevertheless, one which is very expressive when in good hands, and which enables the author to tell his story, or some portion of his story, with more natural trust than any other, I mean that of familiar letters. I trust I shall be excused if I attempt it as regards this one chapter; though, it may be, that I shall break down and fall into commonplace narrative, even before the one chapter be completed. The correspondents are the Lady Amelia
