 withdraw other support to the New Hospital than
that which will subsist in the fact that I chiefly supplied the expenses of
building it, and have contributed further large sums to its successful working.«
    Lydgate's thought, when Bulstrode paused according to his wont, was, »He has
perhaps been losing a good deal of money.« This was the most plausible
explanation of a speech which had caused rather a startling change in his
expectations. He said in reply -
    »The loss to the Hospital can hardly be made up, I fear.«
    »Hardly,« returned Bulstrode, in the same deliberate, silvery tone; »except
by some changes of plan. The only person who may be certainly counted on as
willing to increase her contributions is Mrs. Casaubon. I have had an interview
with her on the subject, and I have pointed out to her, as I am about to do to
you, that it will be desirable to win a more general support to the New Hospital
by a change of system.«
    Another pause, but Lydgate did not speak.
    »The change I mean is an amalgamation with the Infirmary, so that the New
Hospital shall be regarded as a special addition to the elder institution,
having the same directing board. It will be necessary, also, that the medical
management of the two shall be combined. In this way any difficulty as to the
adequate maintenance of our new establishment will be removed; the benevolent
interests of the town will cease to be divided.«
    Mr. Bulstrode had lowered his eyes from Lydgate's face to the buttons of his
coat as he again paused.
    »No doubt that is a good device as to ways and means,« said Lydgate, with an
edge of irony in his tone. »But I can't be expected to rejoice in it at once,
since one of the first results will be that the other medical men will upset or
interrupt my methods, if it were only because they are mine.«
    »I myself, as you know, Mr. Lydgate, highly valued the opportunity of new
and independent procedure which you have diligently employed: the original plan,
I confess, was one which I had much at heart, under submission to the Divine
Will. But since providential indications demand a renunciation from me, I
renounce.«
    Bulstrode showed a rather exasperating ability in this conversation. The
broken metaphor and bad logic of motive which had stirred his hearer's contempt
were quite consistent with a mode of putting the facts which made it difficult
for Lydgate to vent his own indignation and disappointment
