Meanwhile, it is clear to me that she is exceedingly unwell, and cannot move for some weeks, at any rate; during which we must think of some plan to protect her from the arts of those unprincipled people." In the very best-of moments, if anybody told Miss Crawley that she was, or looked ill, the trembling old lady sent off for her doctor; and I daresay she was very unwell after the sudden family event, which might serve to shake stronger nerves than hers.

At least, Mrs.Bute thought it was her duty to inform the physician, and the apothecary, and the dame-de-compagnie, and the domestics, that Miss Crawley was in a most critical state, and that they were to act accordingly.

She had the street laid knee-deep with straw; and the knocker put by with Mr.
Bowls's plate.

She insisted that the Doctor should call twice a day; and deluged her patient with draughts every two hours.

When anybody entered the room, she uttered a shshshsh so sibilant and ominous, that it frightened the poor old lady in her bed, from which she could not look without seeing Mrs.Bute's beady eyes eagerly fixed on her, as the latter sate steadfast in the arm-chair by the bedside.