“I don’t blame you, either; I would do so too, if it were possible; but you see, we can’t do so well on land as you do at sea; we can be followed about from pillar to post, and no bounds set to our persecution.”

“That’s true enough,” said the other; “we can cut and run when we have had enough of it.  However, I must get to the village, as I shall sleep there to-night, if I find my quarters comfortable enough.”

“Come on, then, at once,” said his companion; “it’s getting dark now; and you have no time to lose.”

These two now got up, and walked away towards the village; and Chillingworth arose also, and pursued his way towards the Hall, while he remarked to himself,—­

“Well—­well, they have nothing to do with that affair at all events.  By-the-bye, I wonder what amount of females are deserted in the navy; they certainly have an advantage over landsmen, in the respect of being tied to tiresome partners; they can, at least, for a season, get a release from their troubles, and be free at sea.”

However, Mr. Chillingworth got to the Hall, and unobserved, for he had been especially careful not to be seen; he had watched on all sides, and no signs of a solitary human being had he seen, that could in any way make the slightest observation upon him.

Indeed, he had sheltered himself from observation at every point of his road, especially so when near Bannerworth Hall, where there were plenty of corners to enable him to do so; and when he arrived there, he entered at the usual spot, and then sat down a few moments in the bower.

“I will not sit here,” he muttered.  “I will go and have a watch at that mysterious picture; there is the centre of attraction, be it what it may.”

As he spoke, he arose and walked into the house, and entered the same apartment which has been so often mentioned to the reader.

Here he took a chair, and sat down full before the picture, and began to contemplate it.

“Well, for a good likeness, I cannot say I ever saw anything more unprepossessing.  I am sure such a countenance as that could never have won a female heart.  Surely, it is more calculated to terrify the imagination, than to soothe the affections of the timid and shrinking female.

“However, I will have an inspection of the picture, and see if I can make anything of it.”

As he spoke, he put his hand upon the picture with the intention of removing it, when it suddenly was thrust open, and a man stepped down.

The doctor was for a moment completely staggered, it was so utterly unexpected, and he stepped back a pace or two in the first emotion of his surprise; but this soon passed by, and he prepared to close with his antagonist, which he did without speaking a word.

There was a fair struggle for more than two or three minutes, during which the doctor struggled and fought most manfully; but it was evident that Mr. Chillingworth had met with a man who was his superior in point of strength, for he not only withstood the utmost force that Chillingworth could bring against him, but maintained himself, and turned his strength against the doctor.