of the beggar and the postman: knock to give,
and it is opened unto you: knock to crave, and it continues shut. I say, carry a
letter to your locked door, and you shall have a good reception: but there is
none that is handed out. For which reason ...«
    Mr. Dale swept a perspiring forehead, and extended his hand in supplication;
»I am an invalid, Dr. Middleton,« he said. »I am unable to cope with analogies.
I have but strength for the slow digestion of facts.«
    »For facts, we are bradypeptics to a man, sir. We know not yet if nature be
a fact or an effort to master one. The world has not yet assimilated the first
fact it stepped on. We are still in the endeavour to make good blood of the fact
of our being.«
    Pressing his hands at his temples, Mr. Dale moaned: »My head twirls; I did
unwisely to come out. I came on an impulse; I trust, honourable. I am unfit - I
cannot follow you, Dr. Middleton. Pardon me.«
    »Nay, sir, let me say, from my experience of my countrymen, that, if you do
not follow me, and can abstain from abusing me in consequence, you are
magnanimous,« the Rev. Doctor replied, hardly consenting to let go the man he
had found to indemnify him for his gallant service of acquiescing as a mute to
the ladies, though he knew his breathing robustfulness to be as an East wind to
weak nerves, and himself an engine of punishment when he had been torn for a day
from his books.
    Miss Eleanor said: »The enlightenment you need, Mr. Dale? Can we enlighten
you?«
    »I think not,« he answered faintly. »I think I will wait for Sir Willoughby
... or Mr. Whitford. If I can keep my strength. Or could I exchange - I fear to
break down - two words with the young lady who is, was ...?«
    »Miss Middleton, my daughter, sir? She shall be at your disposition; I will
bring her to you.« Dr. Middleton stopped at the window. »She, it is true, may
better know the mind of Miss Dale than I. But I flatter myself I know the
gentleman better. I think, Mr. Dale, addressing you as the lady's father, you
will find me a persuasive, I could be an impassioned, advocate in