n.
In his very walk the character of the man was indicated firm, steady,
imperturbable, straightforward.

CHAPTER XIV. Charles Osmond Speaks His Mind

Fiat justitia ruat coelum. Proverb

Justice, the miracle worker among men. John Bright (July
14, 1868.)

"I thought you were never coming to see me," said Erica, putting down a
newspaper and looking up with eager welcome at Charles Osmond, who had
just been announced.

"It has not been for want of will," he replied, sitting down near her
couch, "but I have been overwhelmed with work the last few days. How are
you getting on? I'm glad you don't altogether refuse to see your prophet
of evil."

"It would have been worse if you hadn't spoken," she said, in the tone
of one trying hard to make the best of things. "I was rather rash though
to say that I should like my wheels to run down; I didn't know how
terrible it is to be still. One does so grudge all the lost time."

"But you will not let this be lost time you will read."

"Oh, yes, happily I can do that. And Mrs. McNaughton is going to give
me physiology lessons, and dear old Professor Gosse has promised to come
and teach me whenever he can. He is so devoted to father, you know, I
think he would do anything for me just because I am his child. It is
a comfort that father has so many real good friends. What I do so hate
though is the thought of having to be a passive verb for so long. You've
no idea how aggravating it is to lie here and listen to all that is
going on, to hear of great meetings and not to be able to go, to hear of
work to be done and not to be able to do it. And I suppose one notices
little things more when one is ill, for just to lie still and watch
our clumsy little servant lay the table for dinner, clattering down the
knives and forks and tossing down the plates, makes me actually cross.
And then they let the room get so untidy; just look at that stack of
books for reviewing, and that chaos of papers in the corner. If I could
but get up for just five minutes I shouldn't mind."

"Poor child," said Charles Osmond, "this comes very hard on you."

"I know I'm grumbling dreadfully, but if you knew how horrid it is to
be cut off from everything! And, of course, it happens that another
controversy is beginning about that Longstaff report. I have been
reading half a dozen of today's newspapers, and each one is worse than
the last. Look here! Just read that, and try to imagine that