one of those doctor-men a
wrinkle about cutting off a leg. Gracious, I should have fainted only to
hear of such a thing! Tell me, are those doctor-men supposed to be in
society?" Lady Mariamne cried, putting up her thin shoulder (which was
far too like a specimen of anatomy) in the direction of a famous
physician who was blandly smiling upon the instruction which Miss Dolly
assuredly intended to convey.

"As much as lawyer-men are in society," replied John.

"Oh, Mr. Tatham, such nonsense! Lawyers have always been in society.
What are the Attorney General and Lord Chancellor and so forth? They
are all lawyers; but I never heard of a doctor that was in the Cabinet,
which makes all the difference. Here is a quiet corner, where nobody can
disturb us. Sit down; it will be for all the world like sitting out a
dance together: and tell me about Nell and her boy."

"And what if I have nothing to tell?" said John, who did not feel at all
like sitting out a dance; but, on the contrary, was much more upright
and perpendicular than even a queen's counsel of fifty has any need to
be.

"Oh, sit down, _please!_ I never could bear a man standing over me, as
if he had swallowed a poker. Why did she go off and leave Phil? Where
did she go to? I told you I went off on my own hook to that horrid place
where they lived, and knocked up the old clergyman and the woman who
wanted me to put on a shawl over one of the prettiest gowns I ever had.
Fancy, the Vandal! But they knew nothing at all of her there. Where is
Nell, Mr. Tatham? You don't pretend not to know. And the boy? Why he
must be about eighteen--and if St. Serf were to die---- Mr. Tatham, you
know it is quite, quite intolerable, and not to be borne! I don't know
what steps Phil has taken. He has been awfully good--he has never said
a word. To hear him you would think she was far too nice to be mixed up
with a set of people like us. But now, you know, he must be got hold
of--he must, he must! Why, he'd be Lomond if St. Serf were to die! and
everybody would be crying out, 'Where's the heir?' After Phil there's
the Bagley Comptons, and they would set up for being heirs presumptive,
unless you can produce that boy."

"But the boy is not mine that I should produce him," said John.

"Oh, Mr. Tatham! when Nell is your relation, and always, always was
advised by you. You may tell that to the Marines, or anybody that will
believe it. You need not think you can take me in."

"I hope not