Well, she was long past sixty.

The lawyer chuckled, Gertrude coloured, and began hurriedly to talk upon something irrelevant, which was kept up till Mrs Hampton returned, looking very severe, and ready to snub her husband at the first chance.

Then the conversation flagged, and at last Mrs Denton came in upon a secret mission to her young mistress, which was prefaced by the words: "Cook says."

For it was long past the time arranged for the dinner.

An hour pa.s.sed, and then another, during which s.p.a.ce of time Mrs Denton appeared four times. But at the last Mrs Hampton spoke out.

"I'm quite sure, Gertrude, dear, that Mr Harrington would not wish us to wait longer. It's nine o'clock, and Doctor Lawrence has to go back to town."

"Yes, you lucky sojourners here--I have."

"And I am famished," continued Mrs Hampton. "Depend upon it, Harrington and Mr Saul have forgotten us, and are dining together somewhere else."

"Would you have the dinner up, then?" faltered Gertrude, whose countenance plainly told of the shame and annoyance she felt.

"If you don't, my dear, Lawrence and I are going out to have a debauch on buns," said the lawyer merrily.

"And cook says, Miss Gertrude, that--"

"Yes, yes, Denton; have the dinner up directly."

Five minutes later they were in the severe-looking dining-room, partaking of burnt soup, dried fish, overdone entrees, and roast joints that were completely spoiled, while all the time the stern countenance of the old man gazed down from the canvas on the wall.

The dinner was naturally a failure, and her elders noted how Gertrude struggled to keep up appearances, but with ear attent and eyes constantly turning towards the door.

"Well," said the doctor, in the course of conversation, "it is late, certainly, but I don't know but what I like it. It seems going back to the pleasant old times."

"Ah, when the day's work was done, and one settled down to a comfortable supper."

"Like to have been a lawyer; a doctor's work is never done."

"Pray don't fidget so, my dear," said Mrs Hampton, as they left the gentlemen to their wine.

"Do you think there is anything the matter, Mrs Hampton?"

"No, my dear, of course not," was the quick reply, while to herself the stern-looking old lady said, "Yes, and far too much."

In due time, after a chat over the slate of affairs, the gentlemen rose to go to the drawing-room.

"Yes, Hampton," said the doctor, "I agree with you; she ought to leave here at once; and--By George! I did not know it was so late. I must be getting back."

"Eleven o'clock?" exclaimed the lawyer, referring to his watch.

"And if I don't mind I shall miss my train. Come to say good-night, my dear. Later than I thought."

"Going, Doctor Lawrence?" said Gertrude uneasily; and she looked at him with her eyes full of trouble.

"Yes; time and trains, you see. Hullo!"

There was the stopping of some vehicle at the gate, a loud ring of the great bell, and Bruno shot from beneath one of the couches, to utter a loud bark.

"Hark!" exclaimed Gertrude, who was pale and trembling, as voices were heard shouting hurriedly, some one calling loudly as the front door was opened.

"He's pretty late," said the doctor jocosely. "By George! I shouldn't wonder if he has come in the station-fly. It shall take me bark."

"Oh, Doctor Lawrence!" said Gertrude, running to the door; "there has been some accident. I am so glad you are here."

"Your plan won't work, Hampton," said the doctor to himself. "She's fond of him, after all;" and he followed the others into the hall.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

GEORGE HARRINGTON'S ACCIDENT.

"Don't be alarmed," said Saul Harrington, confronting them. "Perhaps you ladies had better go back to the drawing-room."

"What is the matter?" said Gertrude quickly.

"Oh, nothing much. Harrington was taken ill, and I got him to lie down, but he didn't seem to get any better, so I thought it better to order a fly and have him driven home. But, my dear Miss Bellwood, you had better retire."

There was a tone in his voice which seemed to say, "For goodness sake don't," and he hugged himself as Mrs Hampton said shortly:

"I always thought women were most useful when anyone was ill."

"Here! Hi! Somebody! Curse you! Let go, will you!" came from down by the gate.

"He's a little delirious, I think," said Saul hastily. "The fly-man is holding him back on the seat. Mr Hampton, are there any men about? We want help."

"Yes, two old men and a young man, Mr Saul. Come along, Lawrence; let's get him in."

Gertrude gave the doctor a piteous look.

"Don't be alarmed, my dear," he said kindly. "I'll soon bring him round. Leave him to us."

He followed the lawyer down to the gate, as Saul lingered for a moment to whisper to Gertrude:

"He's right, don't be alarmed. It is not serious," and he smiled to himself as he hurried after the others.

"What a kind, considerate man Mr Saul is," said Mrs Hampton sarcastically. "Humph!"

She stopped to listen, as quite a disturbance came from the gate.

"Is--is it an accident, Mrs Hampton?" whispered Gertrude.

"Yes, my dear. I don't think there is any doubt about that."