fee. He was not the man to undersell the profession, and was jealous
of nobody, having a large practice, and a very wealthy wife. So he
telegraphed back--"Fifty guineas, and a guinea a mile from London."

So, as Christopher Staines sat at an early breakfast, with the carriage
waiting to take him to the train, two notes were brought him on a
salver.

They were both directed by Lady Cicely Treherne. One of them contained a
few kind and feeling words of gratitude and esteem; the other, a check,
drawn by the earl's steward, for one hundred and thirty guineas.

He bowled up to London, and told it all to Rosa. She sparkled with
pride, affection, and joy.

"Now, who says you are not a genius?" she cried. "A hundred and thirty
guineas for one fee! Now, if you love your wife as she loves you--you
will set up a brougham."




CHAPTER VIII.


Doctor Staines begged leave to distinguish; he had not said he would
set up a carriage at the first one hundred guinea fee, but only that he
would not set up one before. There are misguided people who would call
this logic: but Rosa said it was equivocating, and urged him so warmly
that at last he burst out, "Who can go on forever saying 'No,' to