CHAPTER III.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 52, 20 April 1888, Page 7

CHAPTER 111.

THB DOCTOR* STUDY. Baoul and Martha said nothing to each other* Their heart were too full, and each wished to sustain the courage of the other.

Raoul took his sister home, and then set off for the house of Or. Guerblier.

When the door opened the servant said : " My master is expect* ing you," and without waiting for an answer, she went before him.

Eaoul felt sure there was a mistake, butts it would insure him an interview with the great man, he was glad.

A door was thrown open, and the servant said : "Sir, here if the young man," and Baoul found himself in the doctor's private room.

He turned round and looked with astonishment at Baoul. " Sir," said the young man, " it is really not my fault that this mistake has been made."

" A mistake — it is so, indeed ; I never receive anyone at this hour, but I was expecting a person on some business." " I am very sorry ; but, as I am here, might I say a few words!" " Yes, but be brief ; my time is precious." " First I must introduce myself, doctor ; you don't remember

" I have seen you somewhere— yes, you are young Daubry— aw you not?"

•' Yes, Dr, Guerblier, I have had the pleasure of seeing you several times."

" Have you not lost your mother, whom you nursed to devotedly ?"

" Alas ! Yes, doctor, and we have not yet paid her debts. She often spoke of the one owing to you."

" Oh, never mind that, if you have only come about that, young

" It is very painful to us not to wind up her affaira. but the will is disputed, and we have to go to law."

" The will— your mother's will? Oh, I recollect, she was your stepmother. Is not a relation of mine mixed up with this affair— Madame Darbault ?" " Yes, her husband is bringing ths lawsuit." " Have they right on their side ?" " Doctor, might I make you the judge?" " Yes, tell the story as briefly as you can," said the doctor, leaning back in his arm-chair.

" You seem to regret this fortune," said the doctor, when he had finished.

" Yes, sir, I do regret it."

" But at your age, life is before you.' ' " Yes, doctor, but I cannot build castles in the air. lam itudy. ing for the army, and I think I shall pass, but I have two sisteri to take care of. "

" Oh, I see ; you have two sisters. Sometimes Igo to fetch my daughter, who attends the instructions for the young at the church of St. Thomas of Aquin. I have seen her talking to a charming little fair girl, with most intelligent eyes. I think her name is Daubry— and with a very short Christian name." " Lotte, perhaps. My sister's name is Charlotte." " Yes ; Lotte is what my girl calls her. Is she your eldest Bister V " No, the youngest." "And may I ask," continued the doctor, "hare you no other means ?"

"No, doctor, my father was a stock-broker ; he wai suddenly ruined, and hardly auything was left. We shall inherit from an aunt some day, but she has a very small fortune."

" Well," said the doctor, " the story interests me ; I hate to sea orphans plundered. I am related to Madame Darbault, and have some influence over her. I shall speak to her, though I see from your face you don't think I shall succeed."

" I have just come from the Darbaults ; they refused any lortof compromise."

"We shall see ; I am their doctor, as well as their relation, and a doctor is of great importance to people who have no other object than to live long and live pleasantly. I will tell you the result. Pat your name in my visiting book under the letter D."

While Eaoul wrote, the doctor's piercing eyes examined him from head to foot.

•• Adieu, young man," he said at last, " don't be cast down ; try to become somebody."

(Zb be continued.