His reputation is at stake--his happiness--for many eyes are turned to him, to read an opinion he may not choose to give in words.
If he would be like the great Healer, he thinks not only of the bodily sufferings that he is anxious to assuage, but of the immortal soul on the verge of the great Interview, deciding its eternal destiny.

He trembles to think, should he fail, it may be hurried to its account.

If he be a friend, how do the ties of association add to his burden.

Here is one whom he has loved, whose voice he is accustomed to hear; shall he, through neglect or mismanagement, make a void in many hearts?
Shall he, from want of skill, bring weeping and desolation to a house where health and joy have been?
Alice was very dear to Dr.Lawton, she was the companion of his daughters; he had been accustomed to regard her as one of them; he was untiring in his attendance, but from the first, had feared the result.

Mrs.Weston had concealed nothing from him, she knew that he considered a physician bound in honour to know the affairs of a family only among themselves--she had no reserves, thus giving him every assistance in her power, in conducting the case.