Dr. Rollinson the younger, lay for several weeks in a critical condition;
but, when the bullet had been extracted, he rallied, and was able before
long to rise from his bed and walk about the house. But though his
strength had improved, he appeared to be harassed in mind; he carried on a
considerable correspondence with the family lawyers in London, and was
continually searching for something--what, no one could tell. Whatever it
was he did not find it, and his anxiety did not diminish.

Archibald had of course asked him about the particulars of the duel, and
what led to it; but his brother had sought to make light of the affair,
saying merely that Pennroyal had been very rude, and had failed to make a
suitable apology; and that the insult having been public, he was forced to
resent it. In answer to Archibald's question as to the subject of his
present correspondence with the lawyers, he replied that it related to
some old family traditions, and possessed only an antiquarian interest.
Archibald accepted these answers in silence, but with entire incredulity.
The brothers were fond of each other, but the strange conditions of the
younger's life had prevented their attaining really intimate and
confidential relations. Archibald was too proud either to demand further
particulars from Sir Edward, or to make inquiries elsewhere. Moreover,
there was perhaps less need of information on his side than on that of his
brother, had the latter but known it. Archibald had secrets of his own.

Pennroyal, meanwhile, kept quiet, waiting for the affair to blow over.
Whether he had intended to kill Sir Edward, or whether he was glad that
the duel had not resulted fatally, I cannot tell. Of course, neither he
nor his wife were seen again at Malmaison. The neighbors were for some
time disposed to give him the cold shoulder; but when his antagonist
recovered, and the matter had lost its first freshness, there appeared to
be little more against him than that he had committed an indiscretion