“He made a mistake,” she said, in a quick, tremulous tone, showing how much she was shaken.  “He thinks me a quack doctor’s widow, whose secret is matter of bargain and sale.”

“Madame!  I offered most honourable terms.”

“Terms, indeed!  I told you the affair is no empirical secret to be bought.”

“Yet madame knows that I am in possession of a portion of zie discovery, and that it is in my power to pursue it further, though, for family considerations, I offer her to take me into confidence, so that all may profit in unison,” said the Greek, in his blandest manner.

“The very word profit shows your utter want of appreciation,” said Mrs. Brownlow, with dignity.  “Such discoveries are the property of the entire faculty, to be used for the general benefit, not for private selfish profit.  I do not know how much information may have been obtained, but if any attempt be made to use it in the charlatan fashion you propose, I shall at once expose the whole transaction, and send my husband’s papers to the Lancet.”

Hermann shrugged his shoulders and looked at Lucas, as if considering whether more or less reason could be expected from a soldier than from a woman.  It was to him that he spoke.

“Madame cannot see zie matter in zie light of business.  I have offered freely to share all that I shall gain, if I may only obtain the data needful to perfect zie discovery of zie learned and venerated father.  I am met wit anger I cannot comprehend.”

“Nor ever will,” said Caroline.

“And,” pursued Dr. Hermann, “when, on zie oder hand, I explain that my wife has imparted to me sufficient to enable me to perfectionate the discovery, and if the reserve be continued, it is just to demand compensation, I am met with indignation even greater.  I appeal to zie captain.  Is this treatment such as my proposals merit?”

“Not quite,” said Jock.  “That is to be kicked out of the house, as you shortly will be, if you do not take yourself off.”

“Sir, your amiable affection for madame leads you to forget, as she does, zie claim of your sister.”

“No one has any claim on my mother,” said Jock.

“Zie moral claim-—zie claim of affection,” began the Greek; but Caroline interrupted him—-

“Dr. Hermann is not the person fitly to remind me of these.  They have not been much thought of in Janet’s case.  I mean to act as justly as I can by my daughter, but I have absolutely nothing to give her at present.  Till I know what my own means may prove to be I can do nothing.”

“But madame holds out zie hope of some endowment.  I shall be in a condition to be independent of it, but it would be sweet to my wife as a token of pardon.  I could bear away a promise.”

“I promise nothing,” was the reply.  “If I have anything to give-— even then, all would depend on your conduct and the line you may take.  And above all, remember, it is in my power to frustrate and expose any attempt to misuse any hints that may have been stolen from my husband’s memoranda.  In my power, and my duty.”