The whole audience were growing excited,
save only the Doctor, who was quite
cool, and laid his hand on the colonel's
arm, as who should say, "Easy now; just
let him go on." The other, looking leisurely
at his cigar end, to see why it did not burn
freely, did go on:

"If I was of that litigating disposition
you speak of, I might contrive to give you
a good deal of trouble; but, for the sake of
the regiment, I would not do that, and can
make all allowance."

"And a most judicious forbearance,"
said the Doctor. "I think I may interpose
here, as the matter concerns me.
Now, how is Colonel Bouchier accountable
for what I choose to say to you? I don't
think, at least, he could send me to my
room, and clap a sentry at the door, or
bring me to a court-martial. Not but that,
if it gave you pleasure, colonel, I'd be
proud to be treated like one of the regiment;
for all your friends would do more
than that for you."

Loud "Hear, hears!" came from all
parts of the room.

Young Leader, catching the general
excitement, started up:

"What does he mean — what do you
mean by talking of me as a child? It's
infernal free and easy, Hickey, and I won't
have it."

"Take my advice, and keep yourself
still. I can stand the whole regiment's
finding their pleasure in the gentlemanly
amusement of reminding me of my father's
calling. They are heartily welcome, I am
sure. But take my advice, Leader, and let
me alone. You may have reason to be
sorry for interfering with me."

"I don't care what you do," said the
young man, colouring; "you may set all
the pettifoggers in the country at me. I
don't care. But we are gentlemen here."

"Ah! there's for you," said the Doctor,
in delight. "Well returned, colonel. Did
you ever see the little boys on the sands
pelting mud over a garden wall, while
some one inside sends back a stone? I
declare I'm proud of my poor invaleede."

Mr. Hickey turned and left the room
without a word. There was great enjoyment
over his repulse. It put the whole
party in spirits.

The Doctor, when he rose to go away,
about two o'clock, called out to the only
Irish officer in the regiment, and who
"belonged to the Johns of Castle Johns,
County Galway," that he "wanted to tell
him about the little bay mare." The
conversation about this animal took up a long
time, during which young Leader, over
whom the Doctor now seemed to exercise
quite a fascination, waited for him.

The Doctor came out in great spirits,
and was a little curious as to any remarks
that had been passed in his absence.

"I'll engage, now, they thought we let
off that quarter-sessions fellow too easy.
I'll bet, now, some of them said they
thought an Irishman would have hit him
between the eyes. Come, my dear Leader,
out with it."

"You are wonderful," said the youth.
"Well, Gamgee did say something about
hoping to see a little Donnybrook."

"All professional jealousy, my dear boy,
because I saved you from his lancet. Ah!
but that's a low, coarse way of righting a
man, dealing with a gentleman of the law.
Why, he'd have 'slapped' an action at me,
and put five hundred damages in his pocket,
with costs for his dear papa. Mark my
words, dear lad," the Doctor said, stopping
suddenly in the road, "no man ever trifled
with Peter Findlater, or those belonging
to him, but he wasn't sorry for it. Be he
prince, peasant, peer, or practitioner, I've
always rubbed his nose to my very boot
sole! The Findlaters, sir, are gentlemen,
and were gentlemen before the Anglos got
into the country; and from the days of
Finn ma Cool downwards, every man of
'em wore his pike, or his pole, his what-
d'ye-call-it, or his pistol, and used it too!
A professional man, sir, that belongs to the
healing art, is a gentleman above all. I'm
proud of being a physician, sir, and no
fellow begotten of an attorney shall ever
get the better of me! Mind what I say
here, under the blessed light of the moon,
I'll root that fellow out of the regiment."

Inspired by this martial tone the young
man said:

"I cowed him, didn't I, though? I
think I put him down — eh? Tell me
what I am to do to him next. How dare
he to attempt to speak to me in that way?
I can't pass it over, you know. You
understand about these things in Ireland.
But then——" The young man coloured,
and hung down his head.

"But then what?" said the Doctor,
looking at him curiously. "Whisht!
leave him to me. We'll have the lasso
about his hind leg before a week's out.
No man must lay a finger on this job, Mr.
Cecil. It belongs to me — sacred to my
own department. I tell you, sir, and I'd
say it before the whole regiment, no born