Doctor Claudius, A True Story

ed a book and a few things in his knapsack and joined Mr. Barker. To Claudius in his simplicity there was nothing incongruous in his travelling as a p

he would as readily have travelled with Claudius had he affected the costume of a shoeblack. He knew that the man was very rich, and he respected his eccentricity for the present. To accomplish the transformation of exterior which he contemplated, from the pr

emarked Mr. Barker reflectively, w

o did not intend to unders

his arrow, and started

? I must have been

ether there was any likelihood of his meeting the woman of whom he had thought so much, and before long he found himself constructing a conversation, supposed to take place on

not?" remarked Claudius tr

We manage our landsca

w s

n the rocks around an

reby he might feed his friend without starving himself. For Mr. Barker was particular about his meals, and accustomed to fare sumptuously every day, whereas he had observed that the Doctor wa

out to find the British aristocracy, whom he knew. The British aristocracy was taking his coffee in solitude

re you

hanks. Where h

I was just lo

e aristocracy

o introduce me to

sure.

, fine figure; carries an ivory-handled parasol with a big M and a crown

ere?" inquire

g, admiring views and dropping her paraso

he rose in his button-hole and led the way. He moved strongly

trywoman of yours. She married a

asked the American, takin

d killed at Plevna.

at he was an American and a compatriot, was delighted to see him. They conversed pleasantly. In the course of twenty minutes the aristocracy

ss, have been in Hei

ago. I am very fond

The castle, the old tower half b

o the trap. "I was standing just at the edge with Miss Skeat-she is my companion, you know-and I dropp

r the sunshade, and bounded back and bowed and left you to your

t Barker in astonishment. "But perhaps you only guessed it

p van Winkle's, and large white hands; and he was altoge

ker, and that he has told you the story.

nd my friend'

ith German professors, Mr. Barker? Ar

ricity without a purpose. Worth millions, and living

ing creature! Tel

ch of Claudius's

e Countess Margaret, looking ou

f your acquaintance even twenty-four hours I would venture to as

quietly, still looking out of the window. "I am enough of an American

known in connection with New York enterprise. The Barkers were not Dutch, it is true, but they had

g," said the Countess, a

ut t

m a very early person. I get

well as for myself," said Mr. Barker, bending low

is pleasant to meet a civili

eting a charming countrywoman," replied

this time, and she rang for lights, subsiding into a low chair while the servant brought them. The candles flickered in t

is!" said Margaret, by way

d eyeglasses, and was well dressed, in plain black, with a single white ruffle about her long and sinewy neck. Sh

asked she, seeing that the Count

en I dropped my par

," replied

it up, and who looked li

ve been a professor.

f his to see me this afternoon, and

me?" asked the

very eccentric. He is very rich, and yet he lives

he is in his right m

dence. Not that she was unhappy with Margaret, who was always thoughtful and considerate, and valued her companion as a friend; but she would

ed and philosophical, and I am sure you will like him.

had of late indulged in a rather prolonged fit of solitude. Miss Skeat took the last novel-on

etter-paper. The Doctor looked up pleasantly at his friend. He could almost fancy he had

your friends

t is apt to be the other p

ropriate to your cha

ng people have a way of turning up at the wrong moment." After a pause, during which Mr. Barker ligh

y strong and rooted dislik

er inside his book, and drumming on the table with his pencil, consi

life, and to woman he ought to owe his happiness. Without woman c

culated M

ncrete. I reverence her mission, and I honour

laimed Mr

astic, of course, you will say, but I believe that homage and devotion to woman is the first duty of m

rker, "I am quite satisfied of your ad

all names," continued Claudius

d not want a confession of faith. I only asked if you disliked ladies' society

ned back in his chair and stare

opinion he held of woman in general had gained upon him of late years, since he had associated less with them. It was with him a beautiful theory, the outcome of a knightly nature thrown back

u are very desirous of presenting

f course. If it is in any way the reve

advantage of an hour's conversation with ladies; and besides, since it comes to

have you presented, and that I could not do less than promise to bring you if possible. As for your personal appearance, it is not of the least consequence. Perhaps, if you d

it best, I will have my hair

mbrikin of his moustache. "Yes

aloud, "we will

his thoughts took it as a certainty that it must be she, and went on building castles in the air and conversations in the clouds. Barker watched him and probably guessed what he was t

a white rose in his buttonhole, and his great black dog was lying at his feet, having for a wonder found his master, for the beast was given to roaming, or to the plebeian society of Barker's servant. The American's careful attire contrasted rather oddly with his sallow face, and with the bony hand that rested against the column. He was a young ma

he will do. What a tearing swell he will be when he is d

your advice," said Claudi

ess," said the other cheerfully. "You look lik

not catching the American idiom. Mr. Barker, however, did

sor, but you might have your boots blacked. There

l man who was coming out paused and turned to look after him,

t could you inform me of the name of that gentleman, whose appearance fills m

the small man for a

inly." And while his interlocutor was recovering enough to formula

ttonhole. Mr. Barker surveyed his work-the clipped head, the new hat, the shiny boots and the rose-with a satisfied air