Sir Miles himself so stoutly and so eagerly repudiated the least hint of the more unfavourable interpretation that the doctor, if not convinced by his patient, was awed from expressing plainly a contrary opinion.

There are certain persons who will dismiss their physician if he tells them the truth: Sir Miles was one of them.
In his character there was a weakness not uncommon to the proud.

He did not fear death, but he shrank from the thought that others should calculate on his dying.

He was fond of his power, though he exercised it gently: he knew that the power of wealth and station is enfeebled in proportion as its dependants can foresee the date of its transfer.

He dreaded, too, the comments which are always made on those visited by his peculiar disease: "Poor Sir Miles! an apoplectic fit.