Aunt Rachel would have entered a disclaimer, but Rosa spoke before

she could open her mouth.

"I didn't say that, Frederic! There was never such another impatient

and inconsiderate creature upon the globe as yourself. It would be

unpardonably rude in us to send the man away, if he is a charlatan,

without letting him see me. Have him up, by all means, and let us

hear what priggish nonsense he has to say. He will feel the easier

when it is done."

Dr. Ritchie's private report to Mrs. Sutton, who accompanied him to

tne lower floor, under color of seeing that he was served with

luncheon, was discouraging. The disease had made fearful inroads

upon a constitution that had never been robust, and the nervous

excitability of the patient was likely to accelerate her decline.

She might linger for several months. It would not surprise him to

hear that she had died within twelve hours after his visit. It was

but fair and professional he added, that he should, through Mrs.

Sutton, advise Mr. Chilton of her state, although, unless he were

mistaken, he had already anticipated his verdict.

This Mrs. Sutton found was the case, when she essayed that evening

to insure him against the awful shock of his wife's unexpected

dissolution.

"She has never been entirely well since the death of our second

child, a year ago," he said. "The little one was buried on a very

stormy day, and the mother would not be dissuaded from going to the

cemetery. The severe cold, acting upon a system enfeebled by grief,

induced an attack of pneumonia. Dr. Ritchie but coincides with every

other physician I have consulted."

"It is a pity you are obliged to leave her so soon," observed the

sympathizing nurse. "Although she may be more comfortable a week

hence than she is now."

"A week! I had no intention of returning in less than a month's

time. I made all my arrangements to that effect before leaving home.

Rosa's reference to my desire to go back to my clients was sheer

badinage"--smiling mournfully. "You have heard her talk often

enough to understand how little of earnest there is in the

raillery." More insincerity! For, contradictory as it may appear,

Mrs. Sutton felt constrained to believe his unsupported word, in

opposition to his wife's written assertion that he designed to

return to his practice the ensuing week.

"She thought I would be more apt to come if I imagined that he would

soon be gone!" was her grieved reflection. "If she could beguile me

hither by this assurance, she trusted to her coaxings and my

compassion to retain me. O Rosa! Rosa! cannot even the honest hour

teach you to be truthful?"




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