"Nothing can hurt me that is for your good," said Leonard. "I will walk up and down the street, and wait till you come out." He was furious with the doctor. "Officious fool!" he muttered when he was outside. "What mischief will he be up to?"
"Now," said the doctor, when Gerald rejoined him, "I can speak more freely. I have nothing whatever to say against your brother----"
"Nothing can be said against him," interrupted Gerald, warmly.
"It is pleasant to see the affection that exists between you," remarked the doctor; "but he is not the young lady's lover."
"No," said Gerald, "I am."
"It is for that reason," said the doctor, with a slight frown, "that I desire to confer with you alone. Young gentleman, it is my intention to speak very plainly to you. You are the young lady's lover, you declare. Her honorable lover, may I ask?"
"Her honorable lover," replied Gerald, "as I am a gentleman."
"Declared and accepted?"
"Declared and accepted."
"Have you any objection to my saying what is in my mind?"