ite unwell--"

"Ill, dear, very ill--is what would happen to me."

"--then I consider that my duty is to impart to her everything that can
not lead to mischief."

"How could you have any doubt of it, my dear? And as to the mischief, I
am the proper judge of that."

Dr. Upround laughed in his quiet inner way; and then, as a matter
of form, he said, "My dear, you must promise most faithfully to keep
whatever I tell you as the very strictest secret."

Mrs. Upround looked shocked at the mere idea of her ever doing
otherwise; which indeed, as she said, was impossible. Her husband very
nearly looked as if he quite believed her; and then they went into his
snug sitting-room, while the maid took away the breakfast things.

"Now don't keep me waiting," said the lady.

"Well, then, my dear," the rector began, after crossing stout legs
stoutly, "you must do your utmost not to interrupt me, and, in short--to
put it courteously--you must try to hold your tongue, and suffer
much astonishment in silence. We have a most distinguished visitor in
Flamborough setting up his staff at the Thornwick Hotel."

"Lord Nelson! I knew it must be. Janetta is so quick at things."

"Janetta is too quick at things; and she is utterly crazy about Nelson.
No; it is the famous Sir Duncan Yordas."

"Sir Duncan Yordas! Why, I never heard of him."

"You will find that you have heard of him when you come to think,
my dear. Our Harry is full of his wonderful doings. He is one of the
foremost men in India, though perhaps little heard of in this country
yet. He belongs to an ancient Yorkshire family, and is, I believe, the
head of it. He came here looking for his son, but has caught a most
terrible chill, instead of him; and I think we ought to send him some of
your rare soup."

"How sensible you are! It will be the very thing. But first of all, what
character does he bear? They do such things in India."

"His character is spotless; I might say too romantic. He is a man of
magnificent appearance, large mind, and lots of money."

"My dear, my dear, he must never stay there. I shudder to think of it,
this weather. A chill is a thing upon the kidneys always. You know my
electuary; and if we bring him round, it is high time for Janetta to
begin to think of settling."

"My dear!" said Dr. Upround; "well, how suddenly you jump! I must put
on my spectacles to look at you. This gentleman must be getting on for
fifty!"

"Janetta should have a man of