The truth is better than what you call good taste." "Then I will say what I think also to be the truth," replied Bickley, growing furious.

"It is that you use your Christianity as a cloak for bad manners.

It teaches consideration and sympathy for others of which you seem to have none.

Moreover, since you talk of the death of people's wives, I will tell you something about your own, as a doctor, which I can do as I never attended her.

It is highly probable, in my opinion, that she will die before Mrs.Arbuthnot, who is quite a healthy person with a good prospect of life." "Perhaps," said Bastin.