sense of admiration as he surveyed her. With all
a woman's quickness, her Ladyship saw the effect she had produced, and
languidly extending her hand, she vouchsafed the nearest approach to a
smile with which she had ever favored him. As if suddenly recalling all
his old antipathies and prejudices, Grounsell was himself in a moment,
and, scarcely touching the taper and jewelled fingers, he bowed
ceremoniously and took his seat at a little distance off.

"This is a very unexpected pleasure indeed," sighed Lady Hester; "you
only arrived to-night?"

"Half an hour ago, madam; and but for your Ladyship's summons I should
have been in bed."

"How do you find Sir Stafford looking poorly, I fear?"

"I haven't yet seen him, madam, but I am prepared for a great change."

"I fear so," sighed she, plaintively; "George says, quite a break up;
and Buccellini calls it 'Gotta Affievolita,' and says it is very fatal
with elderly people."

"The vulgar phrase of a 'broken heart' is more expressive, madam, and
perhaps quite as pathological."

Lady Hester drew proudly up, and seemed preparing herself for a coming
encounter. They were old antagonists, and well knew each other's mode
of attack. On the present occasion, however, Grounsell did not seek a
contest, and was satisfied by a single shot at the enemy, as if trying
the range of his gun.

"You will probably advise a change of air and scene, Dr. Grounsell,"
said she, calmly, and as though inviting pacific intercourse.

"It is precisely what I have come for, madam," answered he, in a short,
dry voice. "Sir Stafford's affairs require his immediate return to
England. The vicissitudes that attend on great commercial enterprises
threaten him with large very large losses."

Lady Hester fell back in her chair, and this time, at least, her pale
cheek and her powerless attitude were not feigned nor counterfeited; but
Grounsell merely handed her a smelling-bottle from the table, and went
on:

"The exact extent of his liabilities cannot be ascertained at once, but
they must be considerable. He will be fortunate if there remain to him
one fourth of his property."

Lady Hester's head fell heavily back, and she fainted away.

The doctor rose, and sprinkled her forehead with water, and then
patiently sat down with his finger on her wrist to watch the returning
tide of circulation. Assured at length of her restored consciousness, he
went on:

"A small establishment, strict economy, a wa