you are, old lady. You say I don't understand your complaint;
it's conscience."

"It is not, sir. I've nothing on my conscience at all."

"I don't believe you, auntie," he cried banteringly. "You must have
been a wicked old flirt."

"It is false, sir; and I don't hold with doctors being young and
handsome."

"No; I twig. Repentance. You used to go and see one when you were
young, and give him guineas to feel your pulse."

"How can you say such wicked things, Fred?" cried the old lady, turning
scarlet. "But I will say it now. I'm sure it's not right for you to be
seeing all these fine fashionable ladies, scores of them, every day."

"Do take her upstairs, Laury," said the doctor, merrily. "Help her, Bel
dear. You hear; I'm a horribly wicked man, and so fascinating that the
ladies of Society flock to see me. Now, I appeal to you, dear. Did you
ever hear such a wicked, suspicious old woman?"

"Don't, don't, don't, Fred," sobbed the lady in question. "I only spoke
for your good. But it can't last long now; and when I'm dead and gone
you'll be sorry for all you've said."

"Poor old darling!" said the doctor, affectionately; "she sha'n't have
her feelings hurt. Now then, toddle up to the drawing-room. Lie down a
bit; and have an early cup of tea, Laury."

"No, no, no," sobbed the old lady. "I'm only a poor, worn-out, useless
creature, and the sooner the grave closes over me the better."

She was out at the foot of the stairs, leaning upon her niece's arm,
before she had finished her sentence, and Isabel Lee, half troubled,
half amused, was following through the door, which the doctor kept open,
but he let it go and held out his hands, as the girl looked tenderly up
a him. Then the door swung to, and the next moment she was clasped in
his arms.

"My darling!" he whispered; and then in the silence which followed they
could hear faintly the voice of the old lady on the stairs.

"I'm so sorry, Bel dear," said the doctor tenderly. "She has one of her
fits on to-day. Poor old soul, she has had a great deal of trouble."

"I know, Fred dear. I don't mind."

"But it's rather hard on our visitor, whom we want to entertain--queer
entertainment."

"Don't talk about it, Fred. Let me go now."

"Without any balm for the suffering, deceitful wretch? Just one."

"Well, only one. Come up soon."

It was, as the doctor said, a very tiny one, and then the girl had
struggled free and hurried up to the d