If it does come to the worst with me--as I believe it will--Georgy shall give you a handsome mourning ring, or fifty pounds to buy one, if you like it better.

And now let me shake hands with you, Philip Sheldon, and say thank you heartily, old fellow, for once and for ever." The invalid stretched out a poor feeble attenuated hand, and, after a moment's pause, Philip Sheldon clasped it in his own muscular fingers.
He did hesitate for just one instant before taking that hand.
He was no student of the gospel; but when he had left the sick-chamber there arose before him suddenly, as if written in letters of fire on the wall opposite to him, one sentence which had been familiar to him in his school-days at Barlingford: _And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him._ * * * * * The new doctor came twice a day to see his patient.

He seemed rather anxious about the case, and just a little puzzled by the symptoms.
Georgy had sufficient penetration to perceive that this new adviser was in some manner at fault; and she began to think that Philip Sheldon was right, and that regular practitioners were very stupid creatures.

She communicated her doubts to Mr.Sheldon, and suggested the expediency of calling in some grave elderly doctor, to supersede Mr.Burkham.

But against this the dentist protested very strongly.
"You asked me to call in a stranger, Mrs.Halliday, and I have done so," he said, with the dignity of an offended man.