"You are not looking well, Mr. Worth," said Herman Brudenell, as he
took the offered seat.

"I am not well just at present, but I shall be so in a day or two,"
returned Ishmael.

"Not if you continue the course you are pursuing now, my young
friend. You require rest and change of air. I shall leave Washington
for Brudenell Hall on Thursday morning. It would give me great
pleasure if you would accompany me thither, and remain my guest for
a few weeks, to recruit your health. The place is noted for its
salubrity; and though the house has been dismantled, and has
remained vacant for some time, yet I hope we will find it fitted up
comfortably again; for I have written down to an upholsterer of
Baymouth to send in some furniture, and I have also written to a
certain genius of all trades, called the 'professor,' to go over and
see it all arranged, and do what else is needed to be done for our
reception."

Ishmael smiled when he heard the name of the professor; but before
he could make any comment, Mr. Brudenell inquired:

"What do you say, Mr. Worth? Will you accompany me thither, or will
you come after me?"

"I thank you very much, Mr. Brudenell. I should like to visit
Brudenell Hall; but--"

"Then you will come? I am very glad! I shall be alone there with my
servants, you know, and your society will be a god-send to me. Had