It was only there that Guillaume seemed to emerge from the prostration of his reverie.

"Mind, Pierre," said he, "no doctor.

We will attend to this together." Pierre was on the point of protesting, but he realised that it would be useless to discuss the subject at such a moment, and so he merely waved his hand to signify that he should act in spite of the prohibition were it necessary.

In point of fact, his anxiety had increased, and, when the cab at last drew up before the house, it was with real relief that he saw his brother alight without evincing any marked feebleness.

He himself quickly paid the driver, well-pleased, too, at finding that nobody, not even a neighbour, was about.