ME. ROLFE reached Bellevue House in time to make a hasty toilet, and dine with Dr. Suaby in his private apartments.
The other guests were Sir Charles Bassett, Mr. Hyam—a meek, sorrowful patient—an Exquisite, and Miss Wieland.
Dr. Suaby introduced him to everybody but the Exquisite.
Mr. Rolfe said Sir Charles Bassett and he were correspondents.
“So I hear. He tells you the secrets of the prison-house, eh?”
“The humors of the place, you mean.”
“Yes, he has a good eye for character. I suppose he has dissected me along with the rest?”
“No, no; he has only dealt with the minor eccentricities. His pen failed at you. 'You must come and see the doctor,' he said. So here I am.”
“Oh,” said the doctor, “if your wit and his are both to be leveled at me, I had better stop your mouths. Dinner! dinner! Sir Charles, will you take Miss Wieland? Sorry we have not another lady to keep you company, madam.”
“Are you? Then I'm not,” said the lady smartly.