He deigned no reply, but paid the guinea, and Clara swept out of the
court, with a train a yard long, and leaning on the arm of a scarlet
soldier who avenged Dr. Staines with military promptitude.

Christopher went home raging internally, for hitherto he had never seen
so gross a case of injustice.

One of his humble patients followed him, and said, "I wish I had known,
sir; you shouldn't have come here to be insulted. Why, no gentleman
can ever get justice against a servant girl when HE is sitting. It is
notorious, and that makes these hussies so bold. I've seen that jade
here with the same story twice afore."

Staines reached home more discomposed than he could have himself
believed. The reason was that barefaced injustice in a court of justice
shook his whole faith in man. He opened the street door with his
latch-key, and found two men standing in the passage. He inquired what
they wanted.

"Well, sir," said one of them, civilly enough, "we only want our due."

"For what?"

"For goods delivered at this house, sir. Balance of account." And he
handed him a butcher's bill, L88, 11s. 5 1/2d.

"You must be mistaken; we run no bills here. We pay ready money for
everything."