The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-07 00:00:00

A DIFFICULT PATIENT.

In the chief drawing-room, in a deep recess of a window,
sat the Chief Baron, dressed as if to go out, with an over-
coat, and even his gloves on. "Corte and drive with me,
Beattie," cried he, in a feeble but harsh voice. "If 1 take
my man Leonard they'll say it was a keep3r. You know
that the Post has it this morning that it is my mind which

ha.s given way. They say they've seen me breaking for
years back. Good heavens! can it be possible, think you,
that the mites in a cheese speculate over the nature of the
man that eats thorn ? You stopped to talk with Pemberton,
I saw; what did he say to you ?"
" Nothing particular—a mere greeting, I think."
"No, sir, it was not ; he was asking you how many
hours there lay between him and the Attorney-General-
ship. They've divided the carcass already. The lion has
to assist at his autopsy—rather hard, isn't it ? How it em-
bitters death to think of the fellows who are to re-
place us !"
"Let me feel your pulse."
"Don't trust it, Beattie; that little dialogue of yours
on the grass plot has sent it up thirty beats; how many
is it ?"
" Rapid—very rapid ; you need rest—tranquillity."
" And you can't give me either, sir ; neither you nor I
your craft. You are the Augurs of modern civlisation,
and we cling to your predictions just as our forefathers
did, though we never believe you."l
" This is not flattery," said Beattie, with a slight smile.
The, old man closed his eyes and passed his hand slowly
over his forehead. "I suppose I was dreaming, Beattie,
just before you came up ; but I thought I saw them all in
the Hall, talking and laughing over my death. Burrowes
was telling how old I must be, because I moved the amend-
ment to Flood in the Irish Parliament in '97 ; and Barnes
mentioned that I was Ourran's junior in the great Bagenal
record; and old Tysdal set them all in a roar by saying he
hada vision of me standing at the gate of heaven, and in-
stead of going in, as St. Peter invited me, stoutly refusing,
and declaring I would move for a new trial! How like the
rascals !"
For once the wise lawyer is correct in his estimate
of his own untractable nature, ever on the alert to
take offence. As the physician leaves him he ex-

claims—
" There is another thing; not that it much matters ; but
it might perhaps be as well to send a few linos to the morn
ing papers, to say the accounts of the Chief Baron are more
favourable to-day ;ho passed a tranquil night, and so on.
Pemberton won't like it ; nor Hayes ; but it will calm the
fears of a very attached friend who calls here twice daily.
You'd never guess him. Ile is the agent of the
Globe
office, where I am insured. Ah, Doctor, it V73S a bright
thought of Philanthropy to establish an industrial enter-
prise that is bound, under heavy recognisances, to be
grieved at our death."
Very charming is Lucy Lendrick, the grand-
daughter of the old Judge, and her frank, bright
nature is very vividly portrayed. Very skilful,
also, is the portrait of the other Lucy, the un-
happy wife of the worthless Captain Sewell.
The story is very interesting, and will amply repay
perusal, while some of the characters tot whi h
c it
introduces us will long linger pleasanty in the
of the reader.