She hastened, under the guidance of Mrs. Sharker, to Winthrop's room, whilst Dr. Crayfoot-having in vain pressed her to have a sup of brandy-and-water-turned into his surgery, and consoled himself after the day's exertions with a full-flavoured cheroot.

He had scarcely, however, sat down, before Mrs. Sharker bolted into the room, exclaiming

"Here--I say, Cray, give us something for the girl. She's off in hysterics."

Tut, tut, tut! Just what I expected! Why wouldn't she take some brandy? I knew the wench would be upset when she first clapped eyes on him.”

Grumbling after this fashion he dropped some liquid out of a large bottle into a wine-glass, and handed it to the matron, who disappeared forthwith. After half an hour or so she returned.

"Well, how's the little goose now ?" inquired the doctor, knocking off the ash of his cigar.

"She don't take on so much as she did," responded the amiable Sharker. "But I doubt if you've mended the matter much by getting her down here. Bless'd if I don't think we shall have two to nurse instead of one !"

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Sharker, I was in a fix. Squire Nugent had got scent of the fellow's whereabouts. Besides, we shall screw something out of 'em, if I don't mistake. Squire Nugent and his lady have already tipped me a ten-pound note"

"Well done, Cray!" exclaimed Mrs. Sharker. "But, pray, what's that for?"

"Why, as a little token of gratitude for my kind attentions to Lucy's brother. Don't you twig, Mrs. Sharker?" and the doctor grinned self-complacently, and took another pull at his cigar. Then added-" I've got a little plan in my pate which may do us good, Sharker. I have had a chat with poor Spottle, and I think 'twill work; but I'll tell you more about it by-and-by. I can't talk with any comfort on an empty stomach. So bustle away, Sharker, and get me some victuals."

H

CHAPTER XXVIII.

LIGHT THICKENS.

THE Nugents were lodging in a pleasant house of modest proportions in one of the streets opening into Park Lane.

Wholly ignorant of the customs of the gay world, yet earnestly resolved to carry out his scheme of procuring for his wife a share of the recreations enjoyed by most young women in her position of life, Nugent consulted Mrs. Fazackerley on the subject. He had not much respect for that lady's judgment or discretion, but thought she was a very good sample of ladies of fashion, and would give him some idea of the amount of gaiety Gertrude might reasonably expect.

Mrs. Fazackerley instructed him, that Gertrude, considering her husband's own tastes, should give up something to the duties of home. She thought that Gertrude might really arrange to stay at home one evening of the week-" say Sunday evening," added Mrs. Fazackerley, who considered herself rather adroit in thus doing homage to Nugent's perjudices.

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Only one evening in the week!" exclaimed Nugent with horror, and took his leave, resolving to consult some other oracle.

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He bethought himself of Lady La Fronde, a matronly person, with very dark eyebrows and a hook nose, to whom Lady Maud had given him letters of introduction. Lady La Fronde was considered a clear-headed woman of the world with great practical sense. Nugent then laid the case before her. My dear sir"-replied her ladyship, throwing her crochet work into a basket by her side, and addressing herself to the subject under discussion with an air of decision-"my theory is this: Give young people their swing. My daughters never know a quiet evening whilst the season lasts. True, their health is not quite so robust in consequence. But what of that, Mr. Nugent? The mind benefits. The spiritual part, Mr. Nugent, is all the better for it. You seem surprised! But the fact is, these innocent follies soon pall. They do not suffice for happiness, Mr. Nugent. No; the heart feels a void. Therefore, I say, let young people quaff their fill of pleasure. "Tis the

short cut to philosophy!" And Lady La Fronde resumed her crochet work.

Nugent took his leave, but was still unsatisfied. More especially as it struck him that the two eldest Misses La Fronde had been a remarkably long time in pursuing this short cut to wisdom, and, from all accounts, were as far off from it as ever. He returned home perplexed, but thought a husband's dignity required he should not lay the whole case openly before Gertrude. So, after much pondering, he went into the matter with rather alarming solemnity, and suddenly addressed Gertrude thus

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My love, just take this chair by my side. Thank you, dearest. I have something rather particular to say to you." Gertrude was puzzled and frightened, but did as he requested. "Now, my dear," continued Nugent-"I wish you to make me a solemn promise."

"What is that?" asked Gertrude.

"Will you not promise beforehand? Cannot you trust me?" he asked. "You hesitate. Well, then, it is this. All I ask is, that you will promise not to go out more than four evenings in the week."

"Is that all?" answered Gertrude, and her countenance, which had assumed an anxious uneasy expression, immediately brightened. "With all my heart! Four nights a week is really a liberal allowance of amusement. How kind you are, dear Oliver! Thank you, dear-thank you!"

Nugent, somehow or other, felt a trifle vexed with himself. Why had he not proposed three evenings only? Evidently she would have been satisfied. He experienced the sensation of a cabman, who, having asked sixpence more than his fare and promptly receiving it, accuses himself of folly in not having asked half-a-crown. Nugent, however, thanked his wife, and the matter was considered settled.

Certainly, when Nugent married he had no notion of bringing his wife within the sphere of fashionable dissipation. But things were altered since then. He had chalked out a certain line for himself, and he would sternly adhere to it. Meantime, he would ever be on the watch to influence her beneficially, and incline her heart towards better things.

Their income enabled them to live in tolerable comfort. Gertrude had a hired brougham, in which she took airings in the park, paid visits, or shopped.

Very soon, however, Nugent began to find himself more

separated than he had anticipated from his wife. Gertrude's personal attractions and lively disposition made her generally sought after. Friends and acquaintances multiplied. Even the three evenings she had agreed not to go out, were scarcely evenings at home. Friends dropped in, invited or uninvited, and destroyed all associations of comfort and tranquillity. Even on Sundays there was a disposition to " drop in." But here Nugent's spirit rose in rebellion. He would have no visitors on the Sabbath, whether morning or evening. He wished to read and think. The world was too much with them even on week-days. So their doors were closed against all comers on that day, and Nugent tried to make the time pass, not merely profitably, but pleasantly, by reading out loud; looking over religious prints with Gertrude; or listening to her performance of Handel on the pianoforte.

.

Sunday once over, in rushed the world again, and Nugent found he must either himself be carried into the vortex, or else to a great extent part company with his wife.

He submitted to the latter alternative, though with some anxiety of mind, and as he often repeated to himself" Only for a time." The experiment must be fairly carried out, or their coming to London would be a farce.

For himself, it was not difficult to find occupation. He was an active member of an important agricultural association whose head-quarters were in London. He attended the periodical gatherings of various religious and charitable institutions. At home he set up a kind of amateur workshop in the back part of the premises. He bought a turning-lathe, and studied mechanics.

It is now, however, time to throw a little light on Lucy Winthrop's sudden appearance at Okenham, related in our last chapter.

One Sunday evening, Gertrude mentioned to her husband that Lucy looked wretchedly ill. She had thought at first it was some foolish love affair at Okenham, but had now found out that Lucy was in trouble about her brother, who had not written to her for many weeks.

"Send her to my study in half an hour," rejoined Nugent; "I should like to have a few words with her about him."

Lucy, in much trepidation, tapped at Nugent's door at the appointed time, and having dropped a curtsey, stood awaiting her master's pleasure.

"Lucy, have you heard lately from your brother?”

The pent-up grief of many weeks immediately broke forth in a flood of tears. She had heard nothing of him this long while, and had no notion where he was, or what had become of him.

Nugent remonstrated with her for not having questioned him before, and told her where he had last seen him—namely, at the Clawthorp Lunatic Asylum.

“How extraordinary!" cried Lucy. written me word! It is very strange! by the next train ?”

"And never to have

May I go to him, sir,

"Better let me write a line first to Dr. Crayfoot. Have patience, Lucy. I dare say it will all come right."

Nugent in due course received the following reply from Dr. Crayfoot:

"Clawthorp Retreat, July 15.

SIR, There is no young man of the name of Weston on my premises, nor ever has been. A man by name Winthrop joined me as an attendant in the place of Spottle, whom you and the visitors dismissed on a charge of ill-using a very violent patient named Miller. Winthrop had scarcely commenced his duties when he unfortunately fell out of a window and met with serious injury, which I need not further explain, except to state that the man lies in a low feeble state, and I think must be trepanned.

"Your very obedient, humble servant,

"JEFFREY CRAYFOOT."

This was not a very satisfactory letter. Was Winthrop the same man as Weston? And, if he were, it was not pleasant for Lucy to learn that he was lying dangerously ill at a lunatic asylum down in the country. However, Nugent came to the conclusion that Lucy had best go down to Clawthorp, and see this Winthrop with her own eyes. He, therefore, began carefully explaining to Lucy why, in his opinion, she should take this course, but was rather surprised to find Lucy had not the least doubt her brother was the person meant, and only implored leave to start without delay.

Nugent provided her with money, and with a letter to Dr. Crayfoot guaranteeing that all expenses should be repaid him. He also wrote to Lovell to ask him to see Lucy safe off from Okenham, but this letter Lovell did not receive till after his rencontre with Crayfoot, having left home that day before the postman went his rounds.