SirPatricktookupthenewspaperwhichhehadbroughtinfromthegarden，andlookedoncemoretoseeifthesurgeonwasattendingtohim。
No!Thesurgeon’sattentionwasabsorbedinhisownsubject。
Therehewasinthesameposition，withhismindstillhardatworkonsomethinginGeoffreywhichatonceinterestedandpuzzledit!“Thatman，“hewasthinkingtohimself，“hascomeherethismorningaftertravelingfromLondonallnight。DoesanyordinaryfatigueexplainwhatIseeinhisface？No!“
“Ourlittlediscussioninthegarden，“resumedSirPatrick，answeringBlanche’sinquiringlookasshebentoverhim，“began，mydear，inaparagraphhereannouncingMr。Delamayn’sforthcomingappearanceinafoot-raceintheneighborhoodofLondon。IholdveryunpopularopinionsastotheathleticdisplayswhicharesomuchinvogueinEnglandjustnow。AnditispossiblethatImayhaveexpressedthoseopinionsalittletoostrongly，intheheatofdiscussion，withgentlemenwhoareopposedtome——Idon’tdoubt，conscientiouslyopposed——onthisquestion。“
AlowgroanofprotestrosefromOne，Two，andThree，inreturnforthelittlecomplimentwhichSirPatrickhadpaidtothem。