She was a little soured at losing by his marriage so profitable a tenant as the surgeon had proved to be during his residence under her roof; and the more so in there being hardly the remotest chance of her getting such another settler in the Hintock solitudes. “’Tis what I don’t wish to repeat, sir; least of all to you,” she mumbled.
“Never mind me, Mrs. Cox; go ahead.”
“It is what people say about your hasty marrying, Dr. Fitzpiers. Whereas they won’t believe you know such clever doctrines in physic as they once supposed of ye, seeing as you could marry into Mr. Melbury’s family, which is only Hintock-born, such as me.”
“They are kindly welcome to their opinion,” said Fitzpiers, not allowing himself to recognize that he winced. “Anything else?”
“Yes; she’s come home at last.”
“Who’s she?”
“Mrs. Charmond.”
“Oh, indeed!” said Fitzpiers, with but slight interest. “I’ve never seen her.”
“She has seen you, sir, whether or no.”
“Never.”