‘I’ll send for Fillgrave—­’

’Well, send for Fillgrave, only do it at once.  Believe me at any rate in this, that whatever you do, you should do at once.  Oblige me in this; let Lady Scatcherd take away that brandy bottle till Dr Fillgrave comes.’

’I’m d——­ if I do.  Do you think I can’t have a bottle of brandy in my room without swigging?’

‘I think you’ll be less likely to swig if you can’t get at it.’

Sir Roger made another angry turn in his bed as well as his half-paralysed limbs would let him; and then, after a few moments’ peace, renewed his threats with increased violence.

’Yes; I’ll have Fillgrave over here.  If a man be ill, really ill, he should have the best advice he can get.  I’ll have Fillgrave, and I’ll have that other fellow from Silverbridge to meet him.  What’s his name?—­Century.’

The doctor turned his head away; for though the occasion was serious, he could not help smiling at the malicious vengeance with which his friend proposed to gratify himself.

’I will; and Rerechild too.  What’s the expense?  I suppose five or six pounds apiece will do it; eh, Thorne?’

’Oh, yes; that will be liberal I should say.  But, Sir Roger, will you allow me to suggest what you ought to do?  I don’t know how far you may be joking—­’

‘Joking!’ shouted the baronet; ’you tell a man he’s dying and joking in the same breath.  You’ll find I’m not joking.’

‘Well I dare say not.  But if you have not full confidence in me—­’

‘I have no confidence in you at all.’

‘Then why not send to London?  Expense is no object to you.’

‘It is an object; a great object.’

’Nonsense!  Send to London for Sir Omicron Pie:  send for some man whom you will really trust when you see him.

’There’s not one of the lot I’d trust as soon as Fillgrave.  I’ve known Fillgrave all my life and I trust him.  I’ll send for Fillgrave and put my case in his hands.  If any one can do anything for me, Fillgrave is the man.’

‘Then in God’s name send for Fillgrave,’ said the doctor.  ’And now, good-bye, Scatcherd; and as you do send for him, give him a fair chance.  Do not destroy yourself by more brandy before he comes.’

‘That’s my affair, and his; not yours,’ said the patient.

’So be it; give me your hand, at any rate, before I go.  I wish you well through it, and when you are well, I’ll come and see you.’

’Good-bye—­good-bye; and look here, Thorne, you’ll be talking to Lady Scatcherd downstairs I know; now, no nonsense.  You understand me, eh? no nonsense.’

CHAPTER X

SIR ROGER’S WILL

Dr Thorne left the room and went downstairs, being fully aware that he could not leave the house without having some communication with Lady Scatcherd.  He was not sooner within the passage than he heard the sick man’s bell ring violently; and then the servant, passing him on the staircase, received orders to send a mounted messenger immediately to Barchester.  Dr Fillgrave was to be summoned to come as quickly as possible to the sick man’s room, and Mr Winterbones was to be sent up to write the note.