"What I desire," Mr. Bulstrode continued, looking still more serious,

"is that Mr. Farebrother's attendance at the hospital should be

superseded by the appointment of a chaplain--of Mr. Tyke, in fact--and

that no other spiritual aid should be called in."

"As a medial man I could have no opinion on such a point unless I knew

Mr. Tyke, and even then I should require to know the cases in which he

was applied." Lydgate smiled, but he was bent on being circumspect.

"Of course you cannot enter fully into the merits of this measure at

present. But"--here Mr. Bulstrode began to speak with a more chiselled

emphasis--"the subject is likely to be referred to the medical board of

the infirmary, and what I trust I may ask of you is, that in virtue of

the cooperation between us which I now look forward to, you will not,

so far as you are concerned, be influenced by my opponents in this

matter."

"I hope I shall have nothing to do with clerical disputes," said

Lydgate. "The path I have chosen is to work well in my own profession."

"My responsibility, Mr. Lydgate, is of a broader kind. With me,

indeed, this question is one of sacred accountableness; whereas with my

opponents, I have good reason to say that it is an occasion for

gratifying a spirit of worldly opposition. But I shall not therefore

drop one iota of my convictions, or cease to identify myself with that

truth which an evil generation hates. I have devoted myself to this

object of hospital-improvement, but I will boldly confess to you, Mr.

Lydgate, that I should have no interest in hospitals if I believed that

nothing more was concerned therein than the cure of mortal diseases. I

have another ground of action, and in the face of persecution I will

not conceal it."

Mr. Bulstrode's voice had become a loud and agitated whisper as he said

the last words.

"There we certainly differ," said Lydgate. But he was not sorry that

the door was now opened, and Mr. Vincy was announced. That florid

sociable personage was become more interesting to him since he had seen

Rosamond. Not that, like her, he had been weaving any future in which

their lots were united; but a man naturally remembers a charming girl

with pleasure, and is willing to dine where he may see her again.

Before he took leave, Mr. Vincy had given that invitation which he had

been "in no hurry about," for Rosamond at breakfast had mentioned that

she thought her uncle Featherstone had taken the new doctor into great

favor.




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