“Oh!” Dr. Guy aspirated, “if she only were my wife!  Blanche, I would give all I possess on earth to know who that man is!”

“Indeed!” said Mme. Blanche, coolly.  “Then I think I can tell you:  it was Hugh Ingelow.”

“Blanche!”

“I have no positive knowledge, you see, of the fact,” went on the lady, adjusting her regal robes, “but an inward prescience tells me so.  However, you may remarry her and welcome, Guy.  I don’t think she will hardly be tried for bigamy.  The happy man, whoever he may be, will scarcely come forward and prove the previous marriage.”

“And she loves this Hugh Ingelow?” the doctor said, moodily.

“She told that old lady so,” Mrs. Blanche said, airily.  “But, my dear love-struck cousin, what of that?  To love, is one thing; to have, is another.  She may love Ingelow, but she is yours.  Make her your wife.  Teach her to overcame that little weakness.”

“As soon as I can settle my affairs,” said Doctor Oleander, resolutely, “I shall leave the country.  I have a friend in Havana—­a physician.  There is a promising opening out there, he tells me.  I’ll take Mollie and go.”

“I would,” replied Mrs. Walraven, cheerfully.  “It’s a nice, unhealthy climate; and then, when you are a widower—­as you will be, thanks to yellow fever—­come back to dear New York.  There’s no place like it.  And now, my dear Guy, I don’t wish to be rude, you know, but if you would depart at once, you would very much oblige me.”

Mrs. Walraven stood up, walked over to the whole-length mirror, and took a prolonged and complacent view of her full-blown charms.

“How do you think I am looking, Guy?” languidly.  “Rather too pale, am I not?  I must have recourse to that vulgar necessity, rouge.  Don’t you think this new shade of pink lovely? and so highly suitable to my brunette style.”

Dr. Oleander gave her a glance of disgust, took his hat, and turned to leave.

“I didn’t come here to talk of new shades of pink, or your brunette style, either.  Excuse me for trespassing on your valuable time, and permit me to wish you good-evening.”

“Good-evening, cousin mine,” Mme. Blanche responded, sweetly.  “Come to-morrow, and we’ll have another little chat.  By the bye, how long do you expect to remain in the city?”

“Until I have engaged an attendant,” answered the doctor, rather sulkily.

“Ah! and that will be day after to-morrow, at furthest.  You will find dozens of applicants.  Well, by-bye.  Come again soon.  I shall be anxious always for your success.”

Dr. Oleander departed.  His practice was extensive, and he had hosts of neglected patients to attend to.

Mrs. Walraven saw nothing of him all next day; but in the evening of the succeeding day, and just as she was getting very uneasy, Dr. Oleander entered, pale and fagged.