The doctor during this little outburst had stood quite silent with his back to the fireplace and his coat-tails hanging over his arms; but though his voice said nothing, his face said much. He was very unhappy; he was greatly grieved to find that the squire was so soon again in want of money, and greatly grieved also to find that this want had made him so bitter and unjust. Mr. Gresham had attacked him; but as he was determined not to quarrel with Mr. Gresham, he refrained from answering.
The squire also remained silent for a few minutes; but he was not endowed with the gift of silence, and was soon, as it were, compelled to speak again.
'Poor Frank!' said he. 'I could yet be easy about everything if it were not for the injury I have done him. Poor Frank!'
The doctor advanced a few paces from off the rug, and taking his hand out of his pocket, he laid it gently on the squire's shoulder. 'Frank will do very well yet,' said he. 'It is not absolutely necessary that a man should have fourteen thousand pounds a year to be happy.'
'My father left me the property entire, and I should leave it entire to my son;—but you don't understand this.'
The doctor did understand the feeling fully. The fact, on the other hand, was that, long as he had known him, the squire did not understand the doctor.
'I would you could, Mr. Gresham,' said the doctor, 'so that your mind might be happier; but that cannot be, and, therefore, I say again, that Frank will do very well yet, although he will not inherit fourteen thousand pounds a year; and I would have you say the same thing to yourself.'
'Ah! you don't understand it,' persisted the squire. 'You don't know how a man feels when he—Ah, well! it's no use my troubling you with what cannot be mended. I wonder whether Umbleby's about the place anywhere?'
The doctor was again standing with his back against the chimney-piece, and with his hands in his pockets.
'You did not see Umbleby as you came in?' again asked the squire.
'No, I did not; and if you will take my advice you will not see him now; at any rate with reference to this money.'
'I tell you I must get it from some one; you say Scatcherd won't let me have it.'
'No, Mr. Gresham; I did not say that.'
'Well, you said what was as bad. Augusta is to be married in September, and the money must be had. I have agreed to give Moffat six thousand pounds, and he is to have the money down in hard cash.'
