e.'

'Nothing of the kind, sir.'

My uncle sneered.

'I mean, sir, there has been no undue canvass for evidence, and the
question is simply one of right; and it is our duty to see that this
inexperienced young lady is not defrauded.'

'By her own uncle?'

'By anyone,' said Doctor Bryerly, with a natural impenetrability that
excited my admiration.

'Of course you come armed with an opinion?' said my smiling uncle,
insinuatingly.

'The case is before Mr. Serjeant Grinders. These bigwigs don't return their
cases sometimes so quickly as we could wish.'

'Then you have _no_ opinion?' smiled my uncle.

'My solicitor is quite clear upon it; and it seems to me there can be no
question raised, but for form's sake.'

'Yes, for form's sake you take one, and in the meantime, upon a nice
question of law, the surmises of a thick-headed attorney and of an
ingenious apoth--I beg pardon, physician--are sufficient warrant for
telling my niece and ward, in my presence, that I am defrauding her!'

My uncle leaned back in his chair, and smiled with a contemptuous patience
over Doctor Bryerly's head, as he spoke.

'I don't know whether I used that expression, sir, but I am speaking merely
in a technical sense. I mean to say, that, whether by mistake or otherwise,
you are exercising a power which you don't lawfully possess, and that the
effect of that is to impoverish the estate, and, by so much as it benefits
you, to wrong this young lady.'

'I'm a technical defrauder, I see, and your manner conveys the rest. I
thank my God, sir, I am a _very_ different man from what I once was.' Uncle
Silas was speaking in a low tone, and with extraordinary deliberation. 'I
remember when I should have certainly knocked you down, sir, or _tried_ it,
at least, for a great deal less.'

'But seriously, sir, what _do_ you propose?' asked Doctor Bryerly, sternly
and a little flushed, for I think the old man was stirred within him; and
though he did not raise his voice, his manner was excited.

'I propose to defend my rights, sir,' murmured Uncle Silas, very grim. 'I'm
not without an opinion, though you are.'

You seem to think, sir, that I have a pleasure in annoying you; you are
quite wrong. I hate annoying anyone--constitutionally--I _hate_ it; but
don't you see, sir, the position I'm placed in? I wish I could please
everyone, and do my duty.'

Uncle Silas bowed and smiled.

'I've brought with me the Scotch steward from Tolkingden, _your_