y, and had for a while pertinaciously refused; but when
he learned that three or four prime ministers were expected, and that
it was possible that even Tom Towers might be there in the flesh, his
philosophy also had become weak, and he had written to Lady Arabella
to say that his prolonged absence for two days further must be
endured, and that the mild tonics, morning and evening, might be
continued. But why should Miss Dunstable be so anxious that Dr.
Thorne should be present on this grand occasion? Why, indeed, should
she be so frequently inclined to summon him away from his country
practice, his compounding board, and his useful ministrations to
rural ailments? The doctor was connected with her by no ties of
blood. Their friendship, intimate as it was, had as yet been but of
short date. She was a very rich woman, capable of purchasing all
manner of advice and good counsel, whereas he was so far from being
rich, that any continued disturbance to his practice might be
inconvenient to him. Nevertheless, Miss Dunstable seemed to have no
more compunction in making calls upon his time, than she might have
felt had he been her brother. No ideas on this matter suggested
themselves to the doctor himself. He was a simple-minded man, taking
things as they came, and especially so taking things that came
pleasantly. He liked Miss Dunstable, and was gratified by her
friendship, and did not think of asking himself whether she had a
right to put him to trouble and inconvenience. But such ideas did
occur to Mrs. Gresham, the doctor's niece. Had Miss Dunstable any
object, and if so, what object? Was it simply veneration for the
doctor, or was it caprice? Was it eccentricity--or could it possibly
be love? In speaking of the ages of these two friends it may be
said in round terms that the lady was well past forty, and that the
gentleman was well past fifty. Under such circumstances could it
be love? The lady, too, was one who had had offers almost by the
dozen,--offers from men of rank, from men of fashion, and from men
of power; from men endowed with personal attractions, with pleasant
manners, with cultivated tastes, and with eloquent tongues. Not only
had she loved none such, but by none such had she been cajoled into
an idea that it was possible that she could love them. That Dr.
Thorne's tastes were cultivated, and his manners pleasant, might
probably be admitted by three or four old friends in the country
who valued him; but the w