“I have no doubt of it,” again gravely responded the old doctor.
“Ah! you might send some of your patients to us, Doctor, and we’ll pay back by recommending you to our friends. Are you a Gout man? Prince Adalbert ’as the gout awfully! I’ve rubbed ’is feet with Elliman’s Embrocation, by the hour together, but nothing gives ’im relief! Now if you could cure ’im your fortune would be made! ’E says it’s all the English climate, but I say it’s over-eating, and ’e’d attend more to a medical man, if ’e told ’im to diet, than ’e will to me!”
“Doubtless, doubtless!” said the Doctor, in a dreamy manner. He seemed to be lost in a reverie, and Margaret had to touch his arm to remind him that the meal was concluded.
She wanted him to join the others in a promenade and see the beauties of Heyst, but he was strangely eager in declining it.
“No! no! let the youngsters go and enjoy themselves, but I want to speak to you, alone.”
“My dear doctor, you frighten me! Nothing about baby, I hope!”
“Not at all! Don’t be foolish! But I want to talk to you where we cannot be overheard.”
“I think we had better wait till the rest have dispersed then, and go down upon the sands. It is almost impossible to be private in a hotel like this!”
“All right! Get your hat and we will stroll off together.”
As soon as they were out of earshot, he commenced abruptly,