"Not at home, Jenkins? You don't mean that!"

"Oh, it's you, Dr Lefevre, sir. Mr Courtney is not at home, but perhaps
he will see you, sir! I hope he will; for he don't seem to me at all
well."

"But if he is engaged, Jenkins--?"

"Oh, sir, you know what 'not-at-home' means," answered Jenkins. "It
means anything or nothing. Will you step into the drawing-room, sir,
while I inquire? Mr Courtney is in his study."

"Thank you, Jenkins," said the doctor; "I'll wait where I am."

Jenkins returned with deep concern on his face. "Mr Courtney's
compliments, sir," said he, "and he is very sorry he cannot see you
to-night. It is a pity, sir," he added, in a burst of confidence, "for
he don't seem well. He's a-settin' there with the lamp turned down, and
his face in his hands."

"Is he alone, then?" asked the doctor.

"Oh yes, sir," answered Jenkins, in manifest surprise.

"Has nobody been to see him since he came in?"

"No, sir, nobody," said Jenkins, in wider surprise than before.

It appeared to Lefevre that his friend must be sitting alone with the
terrible discovery he had that night made of himself. His heart,
therefore, urged him to go in and take him by the hand, and give what
help and comfort he could.

"I think," said he to Jenkins, "I'll try and have a word with him."

"Yes, sir," said Jenkins, and led the way to the study. He tapped at the
door, and then turned the handle; but the door remained closed.

"Who is there?" asked a weary voice within, which scarce sounded like
the voice of Julius.

"I--Lefevre," said the doctor, putting Jenkins aside. "May not I come
in? I want a friendly word with you."

"Forgive me, Lefevre," said the voice, "that I do not let you in. I am
very busy at present."

"You are alone," said Lefevre, "are you not?"

"Alone," said Julius; "yes, all alone!" There was a melting note of
sadness in the words which went to the doctor's heart.

"My dear Julius," said he, "I think I know what's troubling you. Don't
you think a talk with me might help you?"

"You are very good, Lefevre." (That was an unusual form of speech to
come from Julius.) "I shall come to your house in a few minutes, if you
will allow me."

"Do," answered Lefevre, for the moment completely satisfied. "Do!" And
he turned away.

But when Jenkins had closed the outer door upon him, doubts arose. Ought
he not to have insisted on seeing whether Julius was in truth alone in
the study? And why could they not ha