Volume Ii Part 18 (1/2)
”Or rather, believed half of it, the cutting down part! Can you tell me physiologically,--for I think it comes into that category,--why it is that women not otherwise ill-natured, in nine cases out of ten take the worst alternative as the credible one? But never mind that. They condemn me. Is n't it so?”
”Yes; and while old Barrington insists--”
”Who cares what he insists? Such advocacy as his only provokes attack, and invites persecution. I 'd rather have no such allies!”
”I believe you are right.”
”I want fellows like yourself, doctor,--sly, cautious, subtle fellows,--accustomed to stealing strong medicines into the system in small doses; putting the patient, as you call it in your slang, 'under the influence' of this, that, and t'other,--eh?”
Dill smiled blandly at the compliment to his art, and Stapylton went on:--
”Not that I have time just now for this sort of chronic treatment. I need a heroic remedy, doctor. I 'm in love.”
”Indeed!” said Dill, with an accent nicely balanced between interest and incredulity.
”Yes, and I want to marry!
”Miss Barrington?”
”The granddaughter. There is no need, I hope, to make the distinction, for I don't wish to be thought insane. Now you have the case. What 's your prescription?”
”Propose for her!”
”So I have, but they hesitate. The old man is not unfavorable; he is, perhaps, more: he is, in a measure, friendly; but what avails such advocacy? I want another guess sort of aid,--a clever man; or, what is better still, a clever woman, to befriend me.”
He waited some seconds for a reply, but Dill did not speak; so he went on: ”A clever woman, to take a woman's view of the case, balancing this against that, never ignoring an obstacle, but inquiring what there may be to compensate for it Do you know such a one, doctor?”
”Perhaps I may; but I have my doubts about securing her services.”
”Even with a retainer?”
”Even with a retainer. You see, Major,”--here Dill dropped his voice to a most confidential whisper,--”my daughter Polly,--for I know we both have her in mind,--Polly is a strange sort of girl, and very hard to understand; for while, if the case were her own, she 'd no more think of romance than she would of giving ten guineas for a dress, if she was advising another whose position and prospects were higher than hers, it's the romantic part of it she'd lay all the stress on.”
”From which I gather that my suit will not stand this test!” said Stapylton, with a peculiar smile. ”Eh, is n't that your meaning?”
”You are certainly some years older than the lady,” said Dill, blandly.
”Not old enough to be, as the world would surely say, 'her father,' but fully old enough to give license for sarcasm.”
”Then, as she will be a great fortune--”
”Not a sixpence,--she'll not have sixpence, doctor. That bubble has burst at last, and can never be blown again. The whole claim has been rejected, refused, thrown out, and there 's an end of it. It amuses the old man to sit on the wreck and fancy he can repair the shattered timbers and make them seaworthy; and, for the time he is likely to last, it is only kindness to leave him to his delusion; but he is ruined,--ruined beyond recall, and as I have told you, the girl will have nothing.”
”Do they know this,--has Barrington heard it?”
”Yes, I broke it to him last night, but I don't think he fully realized the tidings; he has certain reserves--certain little conceits of his own--which are to supply him with a sort of hope; but let us talk of something more practical. How can we secure Miss Dill's services?”
”A few days ago, the easiest way would have been to offer to befriend her brother, but this morning brings us news that this is not needed,--he is coming home.”
”How so?”