Restraining a desire to seize him by the throat, he seated himself on the edge of the table and said cheerfully: "Well, doctor, how has the world used you since we last met ?" The doctor was taken aback, but the solemn disposition of his features did not relax as he almost intoned: "Has Sir Francis told you the sad news, Mr.Trefusis ?" "Yes.

Frightful, isn't it?
Lord bless me, we're here to-day and gone to-morrow." "True, very true!" "Sir Francis has a high opinion of you." The doctor looked a little foolish.

"Everything was done that could be done, Mr.Trefusis; but Mrs.Jansenius was very anxious that no stone should be left unturned.

She was good enough to say that her sole reason for wishing me to call in Sir Francis was that you should have no cause to complain." "Indeed!" "An excellent mother! A sad event for her! Ah, yes, yes! Dear me! A very sad event!" "Most disagreeable.

Such a cold day too.