being in haste. to bring the letter to your ladyship, as in duty bound; only I do remember that he did say, young Mr. Edward, says he, is not quite killed dead, but only shot through with a pistol; and so, says he, Surgeon Sound from London thinks him a great deal better.'

Mrs. Barnet gave orders for the chariot to be made ready with all speed, saying she would drive to Mr. Anguish's herself.

"I pray God you may find young Mr. Edward better,' said the man.

"I thank you friend,' said she, giving him money.

For none of all the gentlefolks was more kinder to the poor,' added the man.

Well, well, you may get you gone,' cried Mr. Barnet a little angrily.

'I meant no disparagement to your honour,' rejoined the lad; and far less, God knows, to her ladyship there, whom all the country praises with one universal dis cord.'

'Pray get you gone, Mr. Discord,' cried Wormwood, My name is Nightingale, sir,' said the lad sulkily as he retired.

Mr. Wormwood then proposed to go himself, and bring a distinct and certain account of Edward's condition; but Mrs. Barnet begged that he would remain with her husband, as she was anxious to see Edward herself.

Miss Barnet desired to accompany her mother.

I see no reason for your going, my dear,' said Mrs. Barnet.

The young lady repeated her request to her mother, looking to her father.

Since Louisa wishes to go, you had best take her with you, my dear,' said Mr. Barnet.

"If you please, my dear,' replied the wife.

'For,' resumed he, there is little or no chance that Mr. Waller

• Come, Louisa, the chariot waits,' cried Mrs. Barnet, hastily interrupting her husband; for she feared that he

would shew a partiality for Mr. Waller, that might injure that gentleman in the fancy of her daughter.

'I hope you will bring us good accounts of Ned, my dear,' cried Mr. Barnet as they were going; for I am still very uneasy about him; but remember that I shall order dinner at the usual hour; and that I make it a rule to wait for nobody,"

WHEN Mrs. and Miss Barnet arrived at the house of Mr. Anguish, they found that gentleman and his lady by themselves, Miss Huntly having, under pretence of a slight indisposition, withdrawn to her own apartment. Mr. Anguish assured his visitors that there was reason to think that Edward was not so dangerously hurt as had been first imagined. He enumerated all the circumstances of the duel as he had received them from Captain Gore.

During the narrative, Miss Barnet broke into frequent invectives against Sir Charles Royston. This gave uneasiness to her mother, because she knew he was related to Mrs. Anguish; and to bring this circumstance to her daughter's recollection she observed, that he was unworthy of the family to which he belonged.'

'I do assure you, dear madam,' said Mrs. Anguish, I am as convinced as Miss Barnet can be, that he alone was to blame.'

My daughter was, in some degree, to blame,' said Mrs. Barnet soothingly to Mrs. Anguish; for she certainly ought not to have danced with any body after refusing Sir Charles.'

• I have suffered so much uneasiness from this unlucky accident, that I might have been spared my mother's cen sure,' said Miss Barnet,

Of all who suffer from it,' replied Mrs. Barnet, you ought to remember, my dear Louisa, that you are the only one who had any share, however innocently, in producing it; you cannot, therefore, be more blameless than Mrs. Anguish, who feels the more uneasiness, on account of the misfortune's being the work of so near a relation.?

Mr. Anguish interposed, by repeating the favourable report of the surgeon. His wife added, that she had sent an express for Dr. Scribble; and expatiated on the wonderful skill of that physician. Her eulogium was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor himself, who received a more cordial welcome from Mrs. Anguish than from her husband, who informed him briefly of what had happened; and that the young gentleman's wound was already dressed. Mrs. Anguish lamented that the doctor had not been present at the dressing, that he might have pronounced with certainty respecting the degree of danger, and have ordered proper medicines.

• That I shall do immediately after I have felt the patient's pulse, and asked him a few questions,' said the doctor, going to the door.

I understand that he is asleep,' said Mrs. Barnet. Would it not be best to wait till he awakes?'

6

Truly, madam,' replied the doctor, ⚫ it is very seldom in my power to wait; it was with great difficulty I could come hither at present, for Lady Megrim has had a relapse; but this lady,' added he, bowing to Mrs. Anguish, knows I never withstand her summons. As for this young man, I dare say I shall be able to order him something that will more than compensate for the interruption of his sleep.'

That is more than the surgeon could do,' said Mrs. Anguish; for he acknowledged that he knew nothing better for his patient than sleep.'

• There can be nothing so good,' added her husband.

6

Sleep is certainly very proper on some particular occasions,' said the doctor; but at other times it is dan

gerous; and we have it in our power to order narcotics, which will make patients sleep at any time.'

But do they not sometimes make patients sleep too long? rejoined Mr. Anguish.

I fear our patient sleeps too long at present, said the doctor, and, therefore, I wish to see him immediately.'

"You will be so obliging as to delay till he awakes,' resumed Mr. Anguish. The surgeon who dressed the wound gave the strictest injunctions that he should not be disturbed."

6

• I should imagine,' replied the doctor, that those injunctions were not meant to extend to me.'

Mrs. Anguish being convinced that her husband would not permit Edward to be disturbed at that moment, and fearing that the doctor might refuse to wait until he awaked, said, I had almost forgot, doctor, that there is another patient in the house. I will conduct you to her directly.

Mrs. Anguish and the physician being withdrawn, I have heard Dr. Scribble much commended for his skill in nervous complaints,' said Mrs. Barnet.

• What his skill in nervous complaints may be,' replied Mr. Anguish, it is difficult to ascertain; but this I do know, that he has had the skill to persuade half the country that all their complaints are nervous. I have been told, that before he settled here, there were fewer complaints of every kind, and no such thing as a nervous complaint heard of."

As for this young man,' said Mrs. Barnet, he is subject to no complaint whatever; he has enjoyed good health and good-humour all his life.'

I hope this doctor will not make him fancy he has any nervous complaint, as he did poor Nancy Blossom, who has been swallowing pills and pining ever since he visited her,' added Miss Barnet.

'Give yourselves no uneasiness, ladies,' said Mr. Anguish; I shall take care that he shall not have it in his

power to injure either the health or good-humour of this young gentleman.'

While this conversation was passing in the parlour, Mrs. Anguish conducted the doctor up stairs to a room adjacent to Miss Huntly's bed-chamber. I have brought Dr. Scribble to see you, my dear,' said Mrs. Anguish, introducing him.

I am glad to see the gentleman,' replied Miss Huntly, with her usual affability, though somewhat surprised. • Tell him all your complaints,' resumed Mrs. Anguish, ⚫ and he will order what is proper directly.'

My complaints! I have no complaints,' cried Miss Huntly. How could you, my dear madam, give the gentleman the trouble of

⚫ Was you not indisposed before you left the parlour ? said Mrs. Anguish; I am sure you need something to Does she not, doctor ?' My spirits are perfectly composed,' cried Miss Hunt

compose your spirits.

ly.

'There, madam, I must take the liberty of differing from you,' said Dr. Scribble; your spirits are in evident agitation, and your whole nervous system is '

I beg you will not talk so, sir,' said Miss Huntly; • I have no nervous systems, and wish to hear nothing about them.'

• Indeed but you have, my sweet young lady,' said the doctor; a very fine one, though I apprehend it is endowed with a little too much sensibility; and if

• You must excuse me, sir,' said Miss Huntly, with an air of impatience, and offering to go.

Only allow the doctor to feel your pulse, my dear," said Mrs. Anguish.

This is the strangest fancy,' cried Miss Huntly. I assure you my pulse is quite as it ought to be.'

• Permit me to touch your arm, madam,' said the doc

tor..

• Pray do, my dear Caroline,' said Mrs. Anguish, were it only to make me easy.'