me that I had exerted myself to leave my bedchamber for my
arm-chair in the next room, and that a little additional
resolution would enable me to follow his advice. We parted in a
state of irritation on either side which, so far as I was
concerned, had not subsided yet.

"I wish to speak to you, sir, about my daughter," Mrs. Rymer
answered.

The mere allusion to Susan had its composing effect on me. I said
kindly that I hoped she was well.

"Well in body," Mrs. Rymer announced. "Far from it, sir, in
mind."

Before I could ask what this meant, we were interrupted by the
appearance of the servant, bringing the letters which had arrived
for me by the afternoon post. I told the man, impatiently, to put
them on the table at my side.

"What is distressing Susan?" I inquired, without stopping to look
at the letters.

"She is fretting, sir, about your illness. Oh, Mr. Lepel, if you
would only try the sweet country air! If you only had my good
little Susan to nurse you!"

_She_, too, taking my uncle's view! And talking of Susan as my
nurse!