Jan jumped off his bureau.  Now that the brunt of the surprise was over, and plans began to be discussed, Jan bethought himself of his impatient sick list, who were doubtlessly wondering at the non-appearance of their doctor.  Lionel rose to depart with him.

“But, you should not go,” said Mrs. Verner.  “In five minutes I vacate this study; resign it to you.  This change will give you plenty to do, Lionel.”

“I know it will, dear Mrs. Verner.  I shall be back soon, but I must hasten to acquaint my mother.”

“You will promise not to go away again, Lionel.  It is your lawful home, remember.”

“I shall not go away again,” was Lionel’s answer; and Mrs. Verner breathed freely.  To be emancipated from what she had regarded as the great worry of life, was felt to be a relief.  Now she could eat and sleep all day, and never need be asked a single question, or hear whether the outside world had stopped, or was going on still.

“You will just pen a few words for me to Sibylla, Lionel,” she called out.  “I am past much writing now.”

“If it be necessary that I should,” he coldly replied.

“And send them with the remittance,” concluded Mrs. Verner.  “You will know how much to send.  Tell Sibylla that Verner’s Pride is no longer mine, and I cannot invite her to it.  It would hardly be the—­the thing for a young girl, and she’s little better, to be living here with you all day long, and I always shut up in my room.  Would it?”

Lionel somewhat haughtily shrugged his shoulders.  “Scarcely,” he answered.

“She must go to her sisters, of course.  Poor girl! what a thing it seems to have to return to her old house again!”

Jan put in his head.  “I thought you said you were coming, Lionel?”

“So I am—­this instant.”  And they departed together:  encountering Mr. Bitterworth in the road.

He grasped hold of Lionel in much excitement.

“Is it true—­what people are saying?  That you have come into Verner’s Pride?”

“Quite true,” replied Lionel.  And he gave Mr. Bitterworth a summary of the facts.

“Now look there!” cried Mr. Bitterworth, who was evidently deeply impressed; “it’s of no use to try to go against honest right:  sooner or later it will triumph.  In your case, it has come wonderfully soon.  I told my old friend that the Massingbirds had no claim to Verner’s Pride; that if they were exalted to it, over your head, it would not prosper them—­not, poor fellows, that I thought of their death.  May you remain in undisturbed possession of it, Lionel!  May your children succeed to it after you!”

Lionel and Jan continued their road.  But they soon parted company, for Jan turned off to his patients.  Lionel made the best of his way to Deerham Court.  In the room he entered, steadily practising, was Lucy Tempest, alone.  She turned her head to see who it was, and at the sight of Lionel started up in alarm.