"But why stop at the gate? Drive up the avenue, my boy."
"His honor told me, sir, not for the world to go farther than the lodge; nor to make as much noise as a mouse."
"Ah! very true. He may be very irritable, poor man! Well stop here, and I'll get out."
Just as the doctor had reached the ground, a very smart-looking soubrette tripped up, and said to him—
"Beg pardon, sir; but you are the gentleman from the barrack, sir?"
"Yes, my dear," said Fitz., with a knowing look at the pretty face of the damsel, "what can I do for you?"
"Why sir, my mistress is here in the shrubbery; but she is so nervous, and so frightened, I don't know how she'll go through it."
"Ah! she's frightened, poor thing; is she? Oh! she must keep up her spirits, while there's life there's hope."
"Sir."
"I say, my darling, she must not give way. I'll speak to her a little. Is not he rather advanced in life?"