Heaven knows," he continued in his characteristic, half-bantering manner, under which it was so difficult to catch a glimpse of his real feelings, "I am not one to throw services done in the face of folk, but here have Mistress Winthrop and I been doing our best for your son in this matter; she by so diligently nursing me; I by responding to her nursing--and your ladyship's--and so, recovering from my wound.

I do not think that your ladyship shows us a becoming gratitude.

It is but natural that we fellow-workers in your ladyship's and Lord Rotherby's interests, should have a word to say to each other on the score of those labors which have made us colleagues." Her ladyship measured him with a malignant eye.

"Are you quite mad, sir ?" she asked him.
He shrugged and smiled.

"It has been alleged against me on occasion.