"At present, Mrs. Auberon, I fear I cannot say exactly what the complaint may be. But I shall call to-morrow, and then I shall know definitely," was my reply, and presently I left.
She sent the old butler with me for the mixture, and as he walked at my side I tried to learn what I could of his master and mistress.
"I've only been with 'em a month, sir," was the man's reply. "Mr. Auberon is a very nice gentleman, but the missus don't get on very well with young Mr. Edward. He's the master's son by 'is first wife."
"Oh! Where is he?" I asked.
"At Canterbury. He's in the Army."
"And is Mr. Auberon comfortably off?"
"Yes, doctor. I've heard from the servants that about half the town of Torquay belongs to 'im—or at least the ground it stands on."
"Do they quarrel?"
"Oh! a bit. The master keeps a tight 'and on the money, I fancy. He says she's extravagant and, my eye, 'e's right. She's never at 'ome—always in Paris, or somewhere," he replied.
Arrived at my surgery, I concocted the usual harmless mixture, and the old man departed.
