“By George!  I hope it is as you say.  It would be a capital match for her.  He has a first rate practice, keeps quite a stylish turn out, and occupies a handsome house in Cavendish Square.  I must become more intimate with him, and see if I cannot worm out exactly what he is driving at.”  Here Tom took his hat, and started down stairs three steps at a time, nearly upsetting the Doctor in the hall in his great hurry.  “Beg pardon, my dear sir, quite accidental I assure you; in haste to speak to Mr. Cotterell in the library,” said Tom apologetically.

“Don’t mention it, pray, Mr. Barton,” was the reply, as that gentleman quickly ascended the staircase leading to the drawing room.

Now, Tom really had no business with Mr. Cotterell that evening, nor would he have intruded on that worthy person, but for his encounter with the Doctor.  He would, he thought, not remain long with his aunt, and it would be a good opportunity to push his enquiries, could he but manage to go out with him.  His anticipations proved correct.  The Doctor did not remain long up stairs, and our friend Tom managed to meet him again as he was passing through the hall.

“Fine evening, sir; which way are you walking?” said Tom, seeing no vehicle in attendance.

“I am returning to Cavendish Square, sir,” was the ready reply.

“I also am going in that direction, and if you have no objection will walk with you,” returned Tom Barton.  The two gentlemen walked together, chatting in a very friendly way on the different topics of the day until they had reached the door of the Doctor’s residence, when that gentleman surprised Tom by saying, “Mr. Barton, will you do me the favor to step in for a few moments?  I wish to speak to you on a subject that cannot very well be discussed in the public street.”  Nothing loath, Tom agreed and was ushered into a very snug apartment, half library, half smoking divan.

“You smoke, of course,” said the Doctor, pointing at the same time to an array of pipes and tobacco of different kinds on a small side table.  Fill, then, drop into that easy chair, and I will tell you why I have requested you to enter my snuggery.  Tom acted upon his suggestion, and was soon sending great puffs of smoke half way across the room.  His host followed this very laudable example, and after a few whiffs, at once opened the business by candidly, and in a straightforward, manner, telling Tom the great love and admiration he felt for Miss Barton, whom he had frequently met in Devonshire as well as in London, and that he had vanity enough to believe that his love was reciprocated, and declared his intention on Julia’s arrival to decide the affair by making her an offer of his hand and heart, and finished by requesting Tom to forward his views to the best of his ability.

To this Tom readily assented.  “The sly little puss,” he continued, “not to mention a word of it even to me.  But I suppose it is not considered by the fair sex quite the thing to speak to any one on so delicate a subject until after the gentleman has popped the question.”  Shortly after, he took his departure for his chambers at Lincoln’s Inn, and it was noticed that Doctor Ashburnham and Mr. Tom Barton were seen more frequently together than had hitherto been the case.