rawing-room, while the giver went
back to his seat.

"Bless her! I honestly believe she's the most amiable girl in the
world," said the doctor; as he sat sipping his claret. "Only a
fortnight now, and then no more going away. I do love her with all my
heart, and I say devoutly, thank God for giving me the chance of
possessing so good a partner for life."

He sat sipping thoughtfully.

"Bother the old woman!" he cried suddenly. "To break out like that.
Suspicious as ever; but Bel took it the right way. I didn't know I was
such a Lothario. How absurd! Now about to-morrow's engagements. Let's
see."

He took out a memorandum book, wrinkled up his forehead, and the next
minute was deep in thought over first one and then another of the
serious cases in which he had to do battle with the grim Shade, ending
by getting up and pacing the room, forgetful of all social ties and the
presence of his betrothed overhead.

"Oh, Fred!" brought him back to the present.

"Eh? What's the matter, dear?"

"Matter? Well, if ever I have a lover I hope he'll be different to you.
There's auntie fast asleep, and poor Isabel sitting watching the door
with the tears in her eyes."

"Tut-tut-tut!" ejaculated the brother. "Yes; too bad, but I have a very
serious case on hand, dear, and I am obliged to give it a great deal of
careful consideration."

"You're always like that now, Fred," said his sister, pettishly. "I
hope you don't mean to see patients on your wedding-day."

"Oh, hang it! no, Laury. Here, I'll come up and have some music; but
you needn't be so sharp, little one. Gentlemen are allowed to sit over
their wine, and you haven't been gone five minutes."

"Monster!" cried Laura. "It's over half an hour!"

"Oh!" ejaculated the doctor, "get out of the way."

He dashed by his sister, and went up the stair three at a time to enter
the back drawing-room where he was saluted by a snore from the sofa, and
then passed through the folding-doors, his steps inaudible upon the soft
carpet. He stood gazing tenderly at the picture he saw in a great
mirror of a sweet, sad face resting upon its owner's hand; and his
conscience smote him as he saw that the eyes were indeed full of tears.

The next moment there was a faint cry of joy, and the face lit up, for
he had stolen behind, sunk upon one knee, passed his arm round the
slight waist, and was in the act of pressing his lips to those of his
betrothed, when there was a gentle