delusion, Sir. And poor Mistress Sally
Nutter--_she_ doesn't seem to trouble you much, Sir.'

He observed that the attorney was chuckling to himself still more and
more undisguisedly, as he slipped the notice back again into its place.

'You gentlemen of the law think of nothing, Sir, but your clients. I
suppose 'tis a good rule, but it may be pushed somewhat far. And what do
you propose to do for poor Mistress Sally Nutter?' demanded Toole, very
sternly, for his blood was up.

'She has heard from us this morning,' said Mr. Gamble, grining on his
watch, 'and she knows all by this time, and 'tisn't a button to her.'

And the attorney laughed in his face; and Nutter who had looked sulky
and uncomfortable, could resist no longer, and broke into a queer
responsive grin. It seemed to Toole like a horrid dream.

There was a tap at the door just at this moment.

'Come in,' cried Mr. Gamble, still exploding in comfortable little
bursts of half-suppressed laughter.

'Oh! 'tis you? Very good, Sir,' said Mr. Gamble, sobering a little. He
was the same lanky, vulgar, and slightly-squinting gentleman, pitted
with the small-pox, whom Toole had seen on a former occasion. And the
little doctor thought he looked even more cunning and meaner than
before. Everything had grown to look repulsive, and every face was
sinister now; and the world began to look like a horrible masquerade,
full of half-detected murderers, traitors, and miscreants.

'There isn't a soul you can trust--'tis enough to turn a man's head;
'tis sickening, by George!' grumbled the little doctor, fiercely.

'Here's a gentleman, Sir,' said Gamble, waving his pen towards Toole,
with a chuckle, 'who believes that ladies like to recover their
husbands.'

The fellow grew red, and grinned a sly uneasy grin, looking stealthily
at Toole, who was rapidly growing angry.

'Yes, Sir, and one who believes, too, that gentlemen ought to protect
their wives,' added the little doctor hotly.

'As soon as they know who they are,' muttered the attorney to his
papers.

'I think, gentlemen, I'm rather in your way,' said Toole with a gloomy
briskness; 'I think 'tis better I should go. I--I'm somewhat amazed,
gentlemen, and I--I wish you a good-morning.'

And Toole made them a very stern bow, and walked out at the wrong door.

'This way, by your leave, doctor,' said Mr. Gamble, opening the right
one; and at the head of the stairs he took Toole by the cuff, and said
he--

'Afte