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They must have been left here by the last proprietor." Vane replied only by a look of contempt, and ordered Cooper to go and ask Mr. Tollett to come to him. Alfred improved the interval. "Sir," said he, "all my delusions, fairly tested, will turn out like this." "They shall be tested, sir; I give you my word." Mr. Tollett came, and the two justices commenced a genuine scrutiny their first.
Now this is one of the most effective of the formulae in a private asylum. How can an inexperienced stranger know for certain that such a statement is a falsehood? And even the just do not love justice to others quite so well as they love their own skins. So Squire Tollett very naturally declined a private interview with Alfred; and even drew back a step, and felt uneasy at being so near him.
"It is only the guilty who fear the light, sir," was the prompt reply. Mr. Tollett said he thought the patient had a legal right to a commission of lunacy if there was property, and he took note of the application. He then asked Alfred if he had any complaint to make of the food, the beds, or the attendants.
This question being, with the usual sagacity of public inspectors, put in the presence of Cooper and the doctor, who stuck to Tollett like wax, the mad people all declared they were very kindly treated.
Meantime, Alfred had a misgiving. The plausible doctor had now Squire Tollett's ear, and Tollett was old, and something about him reminded the Oxonian of a trait his friend Horace had detected in old age: "Vel quod res omnes timide gelide que ministrat. Dilator, spe longus, iners," &c.
"Now that is very sensible and considerate," said Mr. Tollett. " I will see you, sir, again before we leave." With this promise Alfred was obliged to be content. He retired respectfully, and the justice said, "He seems as sane as I am." The doctor smiled.
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