satisfied
her so well as Mr Hope's early visit,--as his serene countenance and
cheerful voice. She saw that he was not sad at heart; and warmly as she
honoured his temper, she could hardly understand this. No wonder for
she did not know what his sufferings had previously been from other
causes, nor how vivid was his delight at the spirit in which Hester
received their present misfortunes. Margaret saw at once that all was
well at home, and made no inquiries about her sister.

"Here is a letter for you, with a magnificent seal," said Hester, as
they entered. "And here is tea as hot, I believe, as if we were still
blessed with glass windows."

The letter had just been left by Sir William Hunter's groom. It was
from the Baronet, and its contents informed Mr Hope that his attendance
would not be required at the almshouses in future, as their inmates were
placed under the medical superintendence of Mr Walcot.

"I am glad," said Hester. "No more danger and insult from that
quarter!"

"Nor funds either, my dear. It is pleasant enough to have no insult and
danger to apprehend; but what will you say to having no funds?"

"We shall see when that time comes, love. Meantime, here is breakfast,
and the sweet Sunday all before us?"

The pressure of her hand by her husband effaced all woes, present and
future.

"Who is Mr Walcot?" asked Margaret.

"Somebody from Blickley, I suppose," said Hester.

"No," replied Hope. "Mr Walcot is a surgeon, last from Cheltenham, who
settled in Deerbrook at seven o'clock yesterday evening, and who has
already swept the greater part of the practice of the place, I suspect.
He is, no doubt, the `better doctor,' `the new man,' of whom we have
heard so much of late."

Hester changed colour, and Margaret too, while Hope related the arrival
of Mrs Rowland and her party, as he had heard it from his pupil early
this morning.--What sort of man was Mr Walcot? Time must show. His
coming to settle in this manner, at such a conjuncture of circumstances,
did not look very well, Hope said; but it should be remembered that he
must necessarily be extremely prejudiced against the family in the
corner-house, if his information about Deerbrook was derived from Mrs
Rowland. He ought not to be judged till he had had time and opportunity
to learn for himself what was the real state of affairs in the place.
He must have fair play; and it was very possible that he might turn out
a man who would give