friends as much as possible."

"Oh, I never see her, auntie, except when she's driving. I've met her
sometimes when I've been out with uncle."

Lady Lisle winced. "Not lately, Sydney dear?" she said after a pause.

"Not very lately, auntie. Last time it was when Dr Granton--"

"That person who comes and stays at Tilborough?"

"Yes, auntie; uncle's old friend."

Lady Lisle winced again.

"He's an awfully jolly chap. You like him, auntie?"

"No, my child, I do not. Your uncle's old friends of his bachelor days
belong to quite a different world from mine."

"But he's a clever doctor, auntie. Done uncle no end of good. Proper
sort of chap to know."

"How can you judge as to that, my dear?" said the lady, sternly.

"Well, you see, auntie, one does get a bit queer sometimes. I had such
a headache the other day when he called to see uncle, and he laughed at
me, and took me over to the hotel and gave me a dose of stuff that cured
it in half an hour."

"Sydney, my dear, I beg that you will never go to that hotel again.
Avoid Tilborough as much as you would any other evil place. The next
time you have a headache either go and see Dr Linnett or come to me, and
I will give you something out of the medicine-chest. Dr Granton cannot
be an experienced practitioner."

"Why, they say, auntie, he's wonderfully clever over accidents in the
hunting field."

"Yes, in the hunting field," said the lady, sarcastically; "but a
medical man's practice should be at home, and in his own neighbourhood.
A man who attends grooms at racing stables is to my mind more of what
is, I believe, called a veter--"

"That's right, auntie--a vet."

"Than a family practitioner," continued the lady, sternly; "and it is a
source of great trouble to me that your uncle does not give up his
society. I desire that you avoid him."

"All right, auntie; I will."

"Always bear in mind, my dear, that it is easier to make acquaintances
than to end them."

"Yes, auntie; I found that out in Loamborough. Some of the fellows will
stick to you."

"Say adhere, my child."

"Yes, auntie."

"Always bear in mind what a great future you have before you. Some
day--I sincerely hope that day is far distant--your dear grandfather
must pass away, and then think of your future and the position you must
hold. A title and a princely income."

"Oh, yes; I often think of it all, auntie. I say, though, I wish the
chaps wouldn't be quite so fond of cha