Green Tea; Mr. Justice Harbottle | Page 3

at me more sharply, and
then became thoughtful for a few minutes.
After this, as I conversed with a gentleman at the other end of the room,
I saw him look at me more steadily, and with an interest which I
thought I understood. I then saw him take an opportunity of chatting
with Lady Mary, and was, as one always is, perfectly aware of being
the subject of a distant inquiry and answer.
This tall clergyman approached me by-and-by; and in a little time we
had got into conversation. When two people, who like reading, and
know books and places, having travelled, wish to discourse, it is very
strange if they can't find topics. It was not accident that brought him
near me, and led him into conversation. He knew German and had read
my Essays on Metaphysical Medicine which suggest more than they
actually say.
This courteous man, gentle, shy, plainly a man of thought and reading,

who moving and talking among us, was not altogether of us, and whom
I already suspected of leading a life whose transactions and alarms
were carefully concealed, with an impenetrable reserve from, not only
the world, but his best beloved friends--was cautiously weighing in his
own mind the idea of taking a certain step with regard to me.
I penetrated his thoughts without his being aware of it, and was careful
to say nothing which could betray to his sensitive vigilance my
suspicions respecting his position, or my surmises about his plans
respecting myself.
We chatted upon indifferent subjects for a time but at last he said:
"I was very much interested by some papers of yours, Dr. Hesselius,
upon what you term Metaphysical Medicine--I read them in German,
ten or twelve years ago--have they been translated?"
"No, I'm sure they have not--I should have heard. They would have
asked my leave, I think."
"I asked the publishers here, a few months ago, to get the book for me
in the original German; but they tell me it is out of print."
"So it is, and has been for some years; but it flatters me as an author to
find that you have not forgotten my little book, although," I added,
laughing, "ten or twelve years is a considerable time to have managed
without it; but I suppose you have been turning the subject over again
in your mind, or something has happened lately to revive your interest
in it."
At this remark, accompanied by a glance of inquiry, a sudden
embarrassment disturbed Mr. Jennings, analogous to that which makes
a young lady blush and look foolish. He dropped his eyes, and folded
his hands together uneasily, and looked oddly, and you would have said,
guiltily, for a moment.
I helped him out of his awkwardness in the best way, by appearing not
to observe it, and going straight on, I said: "Those revivals of interest in

a subject happen to me often; one book suggests another, and often
sends me back a wild-goose chase over an interval of twenty years. But
if you still care to possess a copy, I shall be only too happy to provide
you; I have still got two or three by me--and if you allow me to present
one I shall be very much honoured."
"You are very good indeed," he said, quite at his ease again, in a
moment: "I almost despaired--I don't know how to thank you."
"Pray don't say a word; the thing is really so little worth that I am only
ashamed of having offered it, and if you thank me any more I shall
throw it into the fire in a fit of modesty."
Mr. Jennings laughed. He inquired where I was staying in London, and
after a little more conversation on a variety of subjects, he took his
departure.
CHAPTER II
The Doctor Questions Lady Mary and She Answers
"I like your vicar so much, Lady Mary," said I, as soon as he was gone.
"He has read, travelled, and thought, and having also suffered, he ought
to be an accomplished companion."
"So he is, and, better still, he is a really good man," said she. "His
advice is invaluable about my schools, and all my little undertakings at
Dawlbridge, and he's so painstaking, he takes so much trouble--you
have no idea--wherever he thinks he can be of use: he's so good-natured
and so sensible."
"It is pleasant to hear so good an account of his neighbourly virtues. I
can only testify to his being an agreeable and gentle companion, and in
addition to what you have told me, I think I can tell you two or three
things about him," said I.
"Really!"

"Yes, to begin with, he's unmarried."
"Yes, that's right--go on."
"He has been writing, that is he was,