Where is Dr.Heale ?" says some one.
"Very sorry, my lord; I can answer for him--professional calls, I don't doubt--nobody more devoted to your lordship." One need not inquire where Dr.Heale was: but if elderly men will drink much brandy-and-water in hot summer days, after a heavy early dinner, then will those men be too late for deputations and for more important employments.
"Never mind the doctor, daresay he's asleep after dinner: do him good!" says the Viscount, hitting the mark with a random shot; and thereby raising his repute for sagacity immensely with his audience, who laugh outright.
"Ah! Is it so, then?
But--Mr.Thurnall, I think you said ?--I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir.

I have heard your name often: you are my friend Mellot's old friend, are you not ?" "I am a very old friend of Claude Mellot's." "Well, and there he is on board, and will be delighted to do the honours of my yacht to you whenever you like to visit her.

You and I must know each other better, sir." Tom bows low--his lordship does him too much honour: the cunning fellow knows that his fortune is made in Aberalva, if he chooses to work it out: but he humbly slips into the rear, for Frank has to be supported, not being over popular; and the Lieutenant may "turn crusty," unless he has his lordship to himself, before the gaze of assembled Aberalva.
Scoutbush progresses up the street, bowing right and left, and stopped half-a-dozen times by red-cloaked old women, who curtsey under his nose, and will needs inform him how they knew his grandfather, or nursed his uncle, or how his "dear mother, God rest her soul, gave me this very cloak as I have on," and so forth; till Scoutbush comes to the conclusion that they are a very loving and lovable set of people--as indeed they are--and his heart smites him somewhat for not having seen more of them in past years.
No sooner is Thurnall released, than he is off to the yacht as fast as oars can take him, and in Claude's arms.
"Now!" (after all salutations and inquiries have been gone through), "let me introduce you to Major Campbell." And Tom was presented to a tall and thin personage, who sat at the cabin table, bending over a microscope.
"Excuse my rising," said he, holding out a left hand, for the right was busy.

"A single jar will give me ten minutes' work to do again.

I am delighted to meet you: Mellot has often spoken to me of you as a man who has seen more, and faced death more carelessly, than most men." "Mellot flatters, sir.