THE DOCTOR'S MIXTURE,

BOOK II

CHAPTER I. THE LEADERS ABROAD.

Now, shifting the scene to Madeira, to
that enchanting sanatorium, where the
geraniums line the very roadside, and people
disdain to pluck Tom Thumbs, as being
common as daisies, we find the Leader
family installed, if not in the finest,
certainly in the dearest house of the place. For
the Leaders were chiefs of that large class
in the world who, though the richest, get
the worst value; who, even when they do
get value, find it has no great effect. In
short, they do not recognise the truth,
that money alone will not do—it must be
supported by a certain moral force of
character.

Mrs. Leader was determined to get on,
determined to revenge herself for those
cruel privations, for that precious time
lost when they were in humble life, and
she was resolved to use all means that she
possessed to gain every advantage. Alas!
how she envied Lady Tallman, waiting
there for her husband, the ease with which
she procured everything. In fact, everything
was procured for her, and came to
her; while poor Mrs. Leader had infinite
labour to insure the regular attentions,
courtesies, &c. Accordingly, in that beautiful
English hospital she pursued as many
and elaborately fashionable plans as though
she were in London itself. Fancy a patient
in a hospital eager to know other patients of
rank in the different wards! She was always
eager, questing. Somebody must introduce
her; and then, as from a revolver or
mitrailleuse, she poured shot and bullet,
dinner after dinner, and showers of attention.
They had taken a fine house, with
bad furniture, then had got over furniture
from England; from the same place had
come a staff of servants, and from France a
chef of magnitude and cost. As in the
case of the lady of quality who had kindly
superintended the furnishing of Leadersfort,
and who had thus virtually received
commission from the tradespeople she
patronised, in the shape of credit and
bargains for herself, so now the supplying
of these present aids was confided to
various persons of honour, with whom she
was anxious to curry favour; some of
whom were vastly amused, and even said,
"Why on earth should she ask me—I
hardly know the woman?" but, nevertheless,
went about the task with great
satisfaction. For it was patronage, and
human nature never objects to patronage or
power.

Mr. Leader, good, amiable little gentleman,
saw all these wonderful proceedings
going on about him, and tried protests in
his own amiable and even pettish way.
"This is all absurd, and very foolish, my
dear. We can't afford it, if it goes on.
What good will all this do us? These fine
people don't care for us one bit more."

But Mrs. Leader would put on her sweet
smile, and murmur, "What are we to do
with your daughter? It is our duty to
make every exertion to establish her well.
She is your daughter, you know, and I am
bound to do everything for her."

"Yes, my dear, but not to be extravagant,
wasting money this way."

Again she shook her head sweetly.
"Outlay of this sort is the best investment
in the world. When she is married
to a marquis's son you will never give me
credit for all I have done, and all I have
borne. That will all be forgotten."

"Yes ; but if we are half ruined in the