CHAPTER IV.

FOUR EYES WERE READING THE PASSAGE.
I WAS running the head of my pencil-case along the line as I read it, and something caused me to raise my eyes.
Directly before me was one of the mirrors I have mentioned, in which I saw reflected the tall shape of my friend, Mr. Jennings, leaning over my shoulder, and reading the page at which I was busy, and with a face so dark and wild that I should hardly have known him.
I turned and rose. He stood erect also, and with an effort laughed a little, saying :
" I came in and asked you how you did, but without succeeding in awaking you from your book ; so I could not restrain my curiosity, and very imper- tinently, I'm afraid, peeped over your shoulder. This is not your first time of looking into those pages. You have looked into Swedenborg, no doubt, long ago ? »
" Oh dear, yes ! I owe Swedenborg a great deal ; you will discover traces of him in the little book on
18 IN A GLASS DARKLY.
Metaphysical Medicine, which you were so good as to remember."
Although my friend affected a gaiety of manner, there was a slight flush in his face, and I could per- ceive that he was inwardly much perturbed.
" I'm scarcely yet qualified, I know so little of Swedenborg. I've only had them a fortnight," he answered, u and I think they are rather likely to make a solitary man nervous — that is, judging from the very little I have read — I don't say that they have made me so," he laughed ; " and I'm so very much obliged for the book. I hope you got my note ? "
I made all proper acknowledgments and modest disclaimers.
" I never read a book that I go with, so entirely, as that of yours," he continued. " I saw at once there is more in it than is quite unfolded. Do you know Dr. Harley ? " he asked, rather abruptly.
In passing, the editor remarks that the physician here named was one of the most eminent who had ever practised in England.
I did, having had letters to him, and had expe- rienced from him great courtesy and considerable assistance during my visit to England.
" I think that man one of the very greatest fools I ever met in my life," said Mr. Jennings.
This was the first time I had ever heard him say a sharp thing of anybody, and such a term applied to so high a name a little startled me.
" Really ! and in what way ? " I asked.
" In his profession," he answered.
I smiled.
GREEN TEA. 19
M I mean this," he said : " he seems to me, one half, blind — I mean one half of all he looks at is dark — preternaturally bright and vivid all the rest ; and the worst of it is, it seems wilful. I can't get him — I mean he won't — I've had some experience of him as a physician, but I look on him as, in that sense, no better than a paralytic mind, an intellect half dead. I'll tell you — I know I shall some time — all about it," he said, with a little agitation. " You stay some months longer in England. If I should be out of town during your stay for a little time, would you allow me to trouble you with a letter ? "
" I should be only too happy," I assured him.
" Very good of you. I am so utterly dissatisfied with Harley."
" A little leaning to the materialistic school," I said.
" A mere materialist," he corrected me ; " you can't think how that sort of thing worries one who knows better. You won't tell any one — any of my friends you know — that I am hippish ; now, for in- stance, no one knows — not even Lady Mary — that I have seen Dr. Harley, or any other doctor. So pray don't mention it; and, if I should have any threaten- ing of an attack, you'll kindly let me write, or, should I be in town, have a little talk with you."
I was full of conjecture, and unconsciously I found I had fixed my eyes gravely on him, for he lowered his for a moment, and he said :
" I see you think I might as well tell you now, or else you are forming a conjecture ; but you may as well give it up. If you were guessing all the rest of your life, you will never hit on it"
ao IN A GLASS DARKLY.
He shook his head smiling, and over that wintry sunshine a black cloud suddenly came down, and he drew his breath in, through his teeth as men do in pain.
" Sorry, of course, to learn that you apprehend occasion to consult any of us ; but, command me when and how you like, and I need not assure you that your confidence is sacred."
He then talked of quite other things, and in a comparatively cheerful way and after a little time, I took my leave,