The  conversation  of  the  two  friends  during  the  drive  to
London  afforded  a  curious  illustration  of  character.  Lord  Alfred,
grieved  and  shocked  beyond  measure  at  the  accident  which
had  occurred  to  his  old  schoolfellow  in  his  service,  was  engaged
the  whole  time  in  pouring  forth  unavailing  lamentations  and
self-accusings ;  while  Coverdale,  although  suffering  the  most  ex-
cruciating anguish  from  every  motion  of  the  cab,  was  so  touched
by  the  evidence  of  feeling  shown  by  his  companion,  that  he
not  only  repressed  all  outward  signs  of  pain,  but  used  his  best
endeavours  to  comfort  and  console  Lord  Alfred.  On  their  way
to  Lord  Alfred's  lodgings,  where  he  insisted  Coverdale  should
take  up  his  abode  until  he  should  be  well  enough  to  travel,  they
called  at  the  house  of  a  surgeon  celebrated  for  his  skill  in  cases


AND  ALL  THAT  CAME  OF  IT  405

of  fracture,  and  were  fortunate  enough  to  find  him  at  home.
On  learning  the  nature  of  the  accident,  he  provided  himself
with  the  necessary  apparatus,  reached  the  lodgings  as  soon  as
his  patient,  and,  within  an  hour  of  the  time  at  which  the  injury
was  inflicted,  Coverdale's  arm  was  set,  and  the  fracture  pro-
nounced to  be  not  a  very  serious  one.
