subtleties now, for Love is a microscope. What he did not know was, that
his timid ardour was pursuing a masterly course; that to find herself
furtively followed everywhere, and hovered about for a look, is apt to
soothe womanly pride and stir womanly pity, and to keep the female heart
in a flutter of curiosity and emotions, two porters that open the heart's
great gate to love.

Now the evening before his visit to the Dodds, Dr. Sampson dined with the
Hardies, and happened to mention the "Dodds" among his old patients: "The
Dodds of' Albion Villa?" inquired Miss Hardie, to her brother's no little
surprise. "Albyn fiddlestick!" said the polished doctor. "No! they live
by the water-side; used to; but now they have left the town, I hear. He
is a sea-captain and a fine lad, and Mrs. Dodd is just the best-bred
woman I ever prescribed for, except Mrs. Sampson."

"It _is_ the Dodds of Albion Villa," said Miss Hardie. "They have two
children: a son; his name is Edward; and a daughter, Julia; she is rather
good-looking; a Gentleman's Beauty."

Alfred stared at his sister. Was she blind? with her "rather
good-looking."

Sampson was quite pleased at the information. "N' listen me! I saved that
girl's life when she was a year old."

"Then she is ill now, doctor," said Alfred hastily. "Do go and see her!
Hum! The fact is, her brother is a great favourite of mine." He then told
him how to find Albion Villa. "Jenny, dear," said he, when Sampson was
gone, "you never told me you knew her."