If you persist in disregarding his entreaties, if you let the delirium go on for four-and-twenty hours more, he is a dead man.' "Lady Janet was, most unluckily, present when this impudent opinion was delivered at the bedside.
"Need I tell you the sequel?
Called upon to choose between the course indicated by a physician who is making his five thousand a year, and who is certain of the next medical baronetcy, and the advice volunteered by an obscure general practitioner at the East End of London, who is not making his five hundred a year--need I stop to inform you of her ladyship's decision?
You know her; and you will only too well understand that her next proceeding was to pay a third visit to the Refuge.
"Two hours later--I give you my word of honor I am not exaggerating--Mercy Merrick was established at Julian's bedside.
"The excuse, of course, was that it was her duty not to let any private scruples of her own stand in the way, when a medical authority had declared that she might save the patient's life.

You will not be surprised to hear that I withdrew from the scene.

The physician followed my example--after having written his soothing prescription, and having been grossly insulted by the local practitioner's refusing to make use of it.

I went back in the doctor's carriage.

He spoke most feelingly and properly.