hefoolishcreaturethinksitinterestsotherpeopleaswell.”
ButBerthacameintotheroomandkissedher.
“Goodmorning,dear,”saidMissLey,andthen,pouringoutherniece’scoffee,“ourestimablecookhasburntthemilkinhonourofyourmajorityItrustshewillnotcelebratetheoccasionbygettingdrunk—atallevents,tillafterdinner.”
“IhopeDr.Ramsaywon’tenthusetoovigorously,”repliedBertha,understandingMissLey’sfeeling.
“Oh,mydear,Itrembleattheprospectofhisjollity.He’sagoodman.Ishouldthinkhisprincipleswereexcellent,andIdon’tsupposehe’smoreignorantthanmostgeneralpractitionersbuthisfriendlinessissometimespainfullyaggressive.”
ButBertha’scalmwasmerelyexternal,herbrainwasinawhirl,andherheartbeatwithexcitement.Shewasfullofimpatiencetodeclarehernews.Berthahadsomesenseofdramaticeffectandlookedforwardalittletothescenewhen,thekeysofherkingdombeinghandedtoher,shemadetheannouncementthatshehadalreadychosenakingtorulebyherside.ShefeltalsothatbetweenherselfandMissLeyalonethenecessaryexplanationswouldbeawkward.Dr.Ramsay’soutspokenbluffnessmadehimeasiertodealwiththereisalwaysadifficultyinconductingoneselfwithapersonwhoostentatiouslybelievesthateveryoneshouldmindhisownbusinessandwho,whateverherthoughts,takesmorepleasureintheconcealmentthanintheexpressionthereof.BerthasentanotetoCraddock,tellinghimtocomeatthreeo’clocktobeintroducedasthefuturelordandmasterofCourtLeys.
Dr.Ramsayarrivedandburstatonceintoaprodigiousstreamofcongratulation,partlyjocose,partlygraveandsentimental,butentirelydistastefultothefastidiousnessofMissLey.Bertha’sguardianwasabig,broad-shoulderedman,withamaneoffairhair,nowturningwhiteMissLeyvowedhewasthelastpersonuponthisearthtowearmutton-chopwhiskers.Hewasveryredcheeked,andbyhissize,joviality,andfloridcomplexion,gaveanideaofunalterablehealth.Withhisshavenchinandhisloud-voicedburlinesshelookedlikeayeomanoftheoldschool,beforebadtimesandthespreadofeducationhadmadethefarmerasortofcrossbetweenthecityclerkandtheNewmarkettrainer.Dr.Ramsay’sfrockcoatandtophat,notwithstandingthehabitofmanyyears,satune