a note in his pocket-book here, and I said--

'But I am really quite sure it was a story of Dickon's, he is such a surly,
disobliging man.'

'And what sort is that old servant that came in and out of his room?'

'Oh, that is old L'Amour,' I answered, rather indirectly, and forgetting
that I was using Milly's nickname.

'And is _she_ civil?' he asked.

No, she certainly was not; a most disagreeable old woman, with a vein of
wickedness. I thought I had heard her swearing.

'They don't seem to be a very engaging lot,' said Doctor Bryerly;' but
where there's one, there will be more. See here, I was just reading a
passage,' and he opened the little volume at the place where his finger
marked it, and read for me a few sentences, the purport of which I well
remember, although, of course, the words have escaped me.

It was in that awful portion of the book which assumes to describe the
condition of the condemned; and it said that, independently of the physical
causes in that state operating to enforce community of habitation, and an
isolation from superior spirits, there exist sympathies, aptitudes,
and necessities which would, of themselves, induce that depraved
gregariousness, and isolation too. 'And what of the rest of the servants,
are they better?' he resumed.

We saw little or nothing of the others, except of old 'Giblets,' the
butler, who went about like a little automaton of dry bones, poking here
and there, and whispering and smiling to himself as he laid the cloth; and
seeming otherwise quite unconscious of an external world.

'This room is not got up like Mr. Ruthyn's: does he talk of furnishings and
making things a little smart? No! Well, I must say, I think he might.'

Here there was a little silence, and Doctor Bryerly, with his accustomed
simultaneous glance at the door, said in low, cautious tones, very
distinctly--

'Have you been thinking at all over that matter again, I mean about getting
your uncle to forego his guardianship? I would not mind his first refusal.
You could make it worth his while, unless he--that is--unless he's very
unreasonable indeed; and I think you would consult your interest, Miss
Ruthyn, by doing so and, if possible, getting out of this place.'

'But I have not thought of it at all; I am much happier here than I had at
all expected, and I am very fond of my cousin Milly.'

'How long have you been here exactly?'

I told him. It was some two or three months.

'Have you se