"Oh, doctor, if you had only come when I sent for you! I waited and waited until after midnight." The doctor growled an impatient response, but so muttered and mumbled the words that the nurse could not make them out.

Mr.Ridley was in the room, standing with folded arms a little way from the bed, stern and haggard, with wild, congested eyes and closely shut mouth, a picture of anguish, fear and remorse.
The two physicians remained with Mrs.Ridley for over twenty minutes before deciding on their line of treatment.

A prescription was then made, and careful instructions given to the nurse.
"I will call again in the course of two or three hours," said Dr.
Hillhouse, on going away.

"Should any thing unfavorable occur, send to the office immediately." "Doctor!" Mr.Ridley laid his hand on the arm of Dr.Hillhouse.

"What of my wife ?" There was a frightened look in his pale, agitated face.
His voice shook.
"She is in danger," replied the doctor.
"But you know what to do?
You can control the disease?
You have had such cases before ?" "I will do my best," answered the doctor, trying to move on; but Mr.
Ridley clutched his arm tightly and held him fast: "Is it--is it--puer-p-p--" His voice shook so that he could not articulate the word that was on his tongue.
"I am afraid so," returned the doctor.
A deep groan broke from the lips of Mr.Ridley.His hand dropped from the arm of Dr.Hillhouse and he stood trembling from head to foot, then cried out in a voice of unutterable despair: "From heaven down to hell in one wild leap! God help me!" Dr.Hillhouse was deeply moved at this.