"It never hurt mine," answered Major Bergan, rather surlily, as if he suspected a covert insinuation in the doctor's words.
"Perhaps not," replied Dr. Remy, indifferently. And, glancing out of the open window, he added, "A fine place you have here."
"The finest in the county," replied the Major, with frank pride. "That is, as far as soil and crops are concerned. The old Hall is out of repair, to be sure, but it can be restored to its former grandeur, whenever I see fit."
Dr. Remy gave his host a long, penetrating, comprehensive look. "I should advise you not to neglect the work too long," he observed, gravely, "if you have it much at heart."
Major Bergan set down the glass that was on its way to his lips, and looked wonderingly at his guest.
"Because a man of your age, with your habits, breaks down soon, when once he begins."
"My habits!" growled the Major, drawing his eyebrows into a heavy frown, "what do you mean, you insolent scamp?"
"I mean," replied Doctor Remy, composedly, "habits at once active, careless, and self-indulgent; such as riding or walking in the heat of the day, spending hours in the rice fields, rising early and sitting up late, eating _ad libitum_, and drinking _ad infinitum_."
The summary was too truthful, and the tone too professional, for the Major to retain his unreasonable anger. He merely asked,--"How do you know that I do these things?"
"Pshaw!" exclaimed Major Bergan, with a scornful curl of the lip.
Doctor Remy smiled, with the calm unconcern of a man who knows his ground. "Your looks tell me more than that," said he.
"If they tell you anything but that I am well,--perfectly well,--they lie," answered the Major, bluntly.
"I am glad to hear it," replied Doctor Remy. "Doubtless, then, you sleep sound and soft."
"No, I don't," grumbled the Major, with unsuspecting frankness, "I sleep like a man tossed in a blanket."
"On the contrary, a perfect Bedlam of furies and horrors."
"And I suppose that you never have headaches, or dizziness, or vagueness and loss of sight."
"I have them all," growled the Major, with an oath, "every miserable item of them. I had an attack, about a fortnight ago, that actually laid me up in bed for a day! I wonder what it all means!"