‘For three or four years, he must greatly depend on you,’ continued Sir Roger.

‘I will do what I can,’ said the doctor.  ’What I can do I will do.  But he is not a child, Scatcherd:  at his age he must stand or fall mainly by his own conduct.  The best thing for him will be to marry.’

’Exactly; that’s just it, Thorne:  I was coming to that.  If he would marry, I think he would do well yet, for all that has come and gone.  If he married, of course you would let him have the command of his own income.’

’I will be governed entirely by your wishes:  under any circumstances his income will, as I understand, be quite sufficient for him, married or single.’

’Ah!—­but, Thorne, I should like to think he should shine with the best of them.  For what I have made the money for if not for that?  Now if he marries—­decently, that is—­some woman you know that can assist him in the world, let him have what he wants.  It is not to save the money that I have put it into your hands.’

’No, Scatcherd; not to save the money, but to save him.  I think that while you are yet with him you should advise him to marry.’

’He does not care a straw for what I advise, not one straw.  Why should he?  How can I tell him to be sober when I have been a beast all my life?  How can I advise him?  That’s where it is!  It is that that now kills me.  Advise!  Why, when I speak to him he treats me like a child.’

’He fears that you are too weak, you know:  he thinks that you should not be allowed to talk.’

’Nonsense! he knows better; you know better.  Too weak! what signifies?  Would I not give all that I have of strength at one blow if I could open his eyes to see as I see but for one minute?’ And the sick man raised himself in his bed as though he were actually going to expend all that remained to him of vigour in the energy of the moment.

’Gently, Scatcherd; gently.  He will listen to you yet; but do not be so unruly.’

‘Thorne, you see that bottle there?  Give me half a glass of brandy.’

The doctor turned round in his chair; but he hesitated in doing as he was desired.

’Do as I ask you, doctor.  It can do no harm now; you know that well enough.  Why torture me now?’

‘No, I will not torture you; but you will have water with it?’

’Water!  No; the brandy by itself.  I tell you I cannot speak without it.  What’s the use of canting now?  You know it can make no difference.’

Sir Roger was right.  It could make no difference; and Dr Thorne gave him the half glass of brandy.

’Ah, well; you’ve a stingy hand, doctor; confounded stingy.  You don’t measure your medicines out in such light doses.’

‘You will be wanting more before morning, you know.’

’Before morning! indeed I shall; a pint or two before that.  I remember the time, doctor, when I have drunk to my own cheek above two quarts between dinner and breakfast! aye, and worked all day after it!’