THE DOCTOR'S MIXTURE.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER XVIII. A PARTY AT THE DOCTOR'S.

This was to be another of the Doctor's
pleasant evenings. Any one looking in must
have said that he and his family were mere
children of enjoyment, just anxious to improve
the shining hour. He had asked
Lord Shipton, though he had doubts as to
the policy of this step, the Reverend William
Webber, and "those poor Dunlops".
There was some little share of good-nature
in this step, though the larger motive was
to have some disinterested witnesses by,
out of the regiment.

Young Mr. Cecil Leader, looking pale
and delicate, and not specially intellectual,
entered the drawing-room. There was a
curious nervous look about his under jaw,
that spoke of some constitutional weakness,
but to all present he seemed the type of
rank and of military bearing. The Doctor
all but embraced him, and led him to
his daughters. Those two bright creatures
quite overpowered him; Polly actually
laughing and blushing from excitement;
and feeling, in her young heart, as
though she had been solemnly presented
to her affianced husband; while Katey
was no less flattered, filled with pride in
her sister's candidature and certain success,
and conscious that much was cast upon
her. Both were a whole world of piquancy
in looks, dress, and bearing. Polly seemed
a shepherdess off a Dresden cup, her skirt
of rose-coloured stripes gathered up about
her, and a bow of the same coloured
riband in her hair. Her sister was in a
more subdued tone, and seemed like Margaret
in the picture; so demure and nun-like,
so bright in smiles. They knew
nothing of fashion, save of what came
down there at about tenth hand, or snatched
from a borrowed book of fashions; yet
Katey had a simple taste and instinct, which
suited her just as well. It was she who
treated Mr. Cecil with warmth, as being her
sister's " futur."

"We are so glad to see you well again.
Polly and I have been so interested in you!"

"We used to see you at the window,
often," said Polly. " I was so sorry, Mr.
Leader, indeed I was."

"Wish you would have paid me a visit;
it would have helped to make me well."

The Doctor caught this speech, and,
rather displeased, seized on the young
man and carried him over to introduce
him to Lord Shipton. His lordship was
glad to see him, and said he had called
very often. Indeed, the queer-headed old
phaeton—which the Doctor had often
likened to a rusty old leather travelling-bag
—had been seen at the door. Now
the Doctor was heard to say, " Ah! here's
my family chaplain! Then how are you,
Billy?" The clergyman, as usual, entered
gravely, and as if in low spirits, a demeanour
supposed by some to make up a
dramatic contrast, by way of surprise, to
his natural humour. Then came in the
Dunlops—their children left at home—out
on their little holiday. Yet even at stray
moments a shade of anxiety and trouble
would flit across her face, as she thought
that the little forces at home might have
risen and overpowered the slender garrison,
and she looked at times as though
she would have risen hastily and rushed
away for a few minutes.

Then the usual pleasant party set in.
Mr. Cecil Leader being handed over to
Katey's care, who, mindful of the sisterly