, to his old retainer, who met him boldly on the step.

"'Deed, Sir Mooray, so as to save the dear bairn's life, and not have to
face ye wi' a cauld dead bodie. It was a case of seconds, Sir Mooray,
and I ken ye wadna ha'e likit for me to bring the puir laddie wha savit
her from drownin' to the Castle."

"And who saved her?" exclaimed Sir Murray.

"Hoot! Sir Mooray, naebodie else but the douce sailor laddie ye passed
camin' hame, when the chaise was broke up."

A bitter epithet was hissed from Sir Murray Gernon's lips, as he
listened to this announcement; for to his excited imagination it seemed
as if Fate were struggling against him and striving to bring together
two who, could he contrive it, should be through life as far removed, to
all intents and purposes, one from the other, as the two poles.

Sir Murray ascended to the bed-room, and then descended to pace
impatiently up and down, frowning and angry, till, after seeing his
patient sink into a quiet slumber, Dr Challen gave a sigh of
satisfaction, and then joined the baronet.

"What?" exclaimed the doctor, after listening to Sir Murray's first
remark.

"She must be taken home directly," said Sir Murray.

"Quite out of the question, my dear Sir Murray," said the doctor,
pleasantly, as he partook of the glass of wine left upon the sideboard.

"But the carriage is waiting, Challen," said Sir Murray. "I came over
in the close carriage on purpose. Surely if she is lifted in and driven
slowly it cannot hurt her."

"Now look here, Gernon," said the doctor, sturdily, "I brought that
child into the world, and saved her life, sir--saved her life, when not
half-a-dozen doctors in England could have done it. I've been your--
Capital glass of port, by Jove! Try one. You won't? Very good; I
will. Let's see--what was I saying? Ah! I've been your family medical
attendant ever since I began to practise, and save and except such times
as you chose to go abroad and put yourself into the hands of foreign
poisoners, I've had your welfare at heart. Now, I'm a crotchety old
fellow--better try a glass of Norton's port: I'll swear it's '20
vintage--crotchety old fellow--over professional matters; and if the
Queen herself came meddling in a sick-room where I was engaged, I'd
order her out as soon as look at her: ergo, I'm not at all afraid of a
baronet."

Sir Murray made a gesture of impatience.

"There, confound you, sir," cried the doctor, testily, "I don't care