e, angrily, to his servant. "I 'm
certain you 're mistaken; go and inquire of her maid."

"I have just asked mamselle, sir, and she says her mistress is still out
driving."

"Give me my colchicum; no, the other bottle,--that small phial. But you
can't drop them. There, leave it down, and send Miss Leslie here."

"She is at the Gallery, sir."

"Of course she is," muttered he, angrily, below his breath; "gadding,
like the rest. Is there no one can measure out my medicine? Where's
Miss Clara?"

"She's in the drawing-room, sir."

"Send her here; beg her to do me the favor," cried he, subduing the
irritation of his manner, as he wiped his forehead, and tried to seem
calm and collected.

"Did you want me, grandpapa?" said the young girl, entering, and
addressing him by the title she had one day given him in sportiveness,
and which he liked to be called by.

"Yes," said he, roughly, for his pain was again upon him. "I wanted
any one that would be humane enough to sit with me for a while. Are you
steady enough of hand to drop that medicine for me, child?"

"I think so," said she, smiling gently.

"But you must be certain, or it won't do. I 'd not like to be poisoned,
my good girl. Five-and-twenty drops,--no more."

"I 'll count them, sir, and be most careful," said she, rising, and
taking the bottle.

"Egad, I scarcely fancy trusting you," said he, half peevishly. "A giddy
thing like you would feel little remorse at having overdone the dose."

"Oh, grandpapa!"

"Oh, of course you 'd not do it purposely. But why am I left to such
chances? Why is n't your mother here? There are all my letters,
besides, unread; and they cannot, if need were, be answered by this
post."

"She said that she 'd be obliged to call at the bank this morning, sir,
and was very likely to be delayed there for a considerable time."

"I 'm sure I cannot guess why. It is Trover and Twist 's duty to attend
to her at once. They would not presume to detain _her_, Oh! here comes
the pain again! Why do you irritate me, child, by these remarks? Can't
you see how they distress me?"

"Dear grandpapa, how sorry I am! Let me give you these drops."

"Not for the world! No, no, I 'll not be accessary to my own death. If
it come, it shall come at its own time. There, I am not angry with you,
child; don't get so pale; sit down here, beside me. What's all this
story about your guardian? I heard it so confusedly last night, during
an attack of pain, I