pitiable, but also
undignified; and Milly's anxieties about his teeth and nose, though in a
certain sense horrible, had also a painful suspicion of the absurd.

People say, on the other hand, that superior prowess, even in such
barbarous contests, inspires in our sex an interest akin to admiration. I
can positively say in my case it was quite the reverse. Dudley Ruthyn stood
lower than ever in my estimation; for though I feared him more, it was by
reason of these brutal and cold-blooded associations.

After this I lived in constant apprehension of being summoned to my uncle's
room, and being called on for an explanation of my meeting with Captain
Oakley, which, notwithstanding my perfect innocence, looked suspicious, but
no such inquisition resulted. Perhaps he did not suspect me; or, perhaps,
he thought, not in his haste, all women are liars, and did not care to hear
what I might say. I rather lean to the latter interpretation.

The exchequer just now, I suppose, by some means, was replenished, for next
morning Dudley set off upon one of his fashionable excursions, as poor
Milly thought them, to Wolverhampton. And the same day Dr. Bryerly arrived.

Milly and I, from my room window, saw him step from his vehicle to the
court-yard.

A lean man, with sandy hair and whiskers, was in the chaise with him. Dr.
Bryerly descended in the unchangeable black suit that always looked new and
never fitted him.

The Doctor looked careworn, and older, I thought, by several years, than
when I last saw him. He was not shown up to my uncle's room; on the
contrary, Milly, who was more actively curious than I, ascertained that our
tremulous butler informed him that my uncle was not sufficiently well for
an interview. Whereupon Dr. Bryerly had pencilled a note, the reply to
which was a message from Uncle Silas, saying that he would be happy to see
him in five minutes.

As Milly and I were conjecturing what it might mean, and before the five
minutes had expired, Mary Quince entered.

'Wyat bid me tell you, Miss, your uncle wants you _this minute_.'

When I entered his room, Uncle Silas was seated at the table, with his desk
before him. He looked up. Could anything be more dignified, suffering, and
venerable?

'I sent for you, dear,' he said very gently, extending his thin, white
hand, and taking mine, which he held affectionately while he spoke,
'because I desire to have no secrets, and wish you thoroughly to know all
that concerns