"Oh, indeed.

Certainly, that's awkward.

Well, we must hope for the best, and, look you here, when a fellow calls out to you another time just you stop to listen." To dwell on all that followed would serve no good purpose, and indeed what is the use of setting down the details of so much forgotten misery?
In a week my beloved wife was dead, and in ten days Lady Colford had followed her into the darkness.

Then it was, that to complete my own destruction, I committed an act of folly, for, meeting Sir John Bell, in my mad grief I was fool enough to tell him I knew that my wife's death, and indirectly that of Lady Colford, were due to his improper treatment and neglect of precautions.
I need not enter into the particulars, but this in fact was the case.
He did not say much in answer to my accusation, but merely replied:-- "I make allowances for you; but, Dr.Therne, it is time that somebody taught you that people's reputations cannot be slandered with impunity.
Instead of attacking me I should recommend you to think of defending yourself." Very soon I learned the meaning of this hint.

I think it was within a week of my wife's funeral that I heard that Sir Thomas Colford, together with all his relations and those of the deceased lady, were absolutely furious with me.