CHAPTER XXX.
CONCERNING A CERTAIN WOMAN IN BLACK.
And Toole, holding her stout wrist, felt her pulse and said--'Hem--I see--and--' And so he ran on with half-a-dozen questions, and at the end of his catechism said, bluntly enough-- 'I tell you what it is, Mrs.Mack, you have something on your mind, my dear Madam, and till it's off, you'll never be better.' Poor Mrs.Mack opened her eyes, and made a gesture of amazed disclaimer, with her hands palm upwards.

It was all affectation.
'Pish!' said Toole, who saw the secret almost in his grasp; 'don't tell me, my dear Madam--don't you think I know my business by this time o' day?
I tell you again you'd better ease your mind--or take my word for it you'll be sorry too late.

How would you like to go off like poor old Peggy Slowe--eh?
There's more paralysis, apoplexy, heart-diseases, and lunacy, caused in one year by that sort of silly secrecy and moping, than by--hang it! My dear Madam,' urged Toole, breaking into a bold exhortation on seeing signs of confusion and yielding in his fat patient--'you'd tell me all that concerns your health, and know that Tom Toole would put his hand in the fire before he'd let a living soul hear a symptom of your case; and here's some paltry little folly or trouble that I would not--as I'm a gentleman--give a half-penny to hear, and you're afraid to tell me--though until you do, neither I, nor all the doctors in Europe, can do you a ha'porth o' good.' 'Sure I've nothing to tell, doctor dear,' whimpered poor Mrs.Mack, dissolving into her handkerchief.
'Look ye--there's no use in trying to deceive a doctor that knows what he's about.' Toole was by this time half mad with curiosity.

'Don't tell me what's on your mind, though I'd be sorry you thought I wasn't ready and anxious, to help you with my best and most secret services; but I confess, my dear Ma'am, I'd rather not hear--reserve it for some friend who has your confidence--but 'tis plain from the condition you're in'-- and Toole closed his lips hard, and nodded twice or thrice--'you have not told either the major or your daughter; and tell it you must to _some_ one, or take the consequences.' 'Oh! Dr.Toole, I _am_ in trouble--and I'd like to tell you; but won't you--won't you promise me now, on your solemn honour, if I do, you won't tell a human being ?' blubbered the poor matron.
'Conscience, honour, veracity, Ma'am--but why should I say any more--don't you know me, my dear Mrs.Mack ?' said Toole in a hot fidget, and with all the persuasion of which he was master.
'Indeed, I do--and I'm in great trouble--and sometimes think no one can take me out of it,' pursued she.
'Come, come, my dear Madam, is it money ?' demanded Toole.
'Oh! no--it's--'tis a dreadful--that is, there _is_ money in it--but oh! dear Doctor Toole, there's a frightful woman, and I don't know what to do: and I sometimes thought you might be able to help me--you're so clever--and I was going to tell you, but I was ashamed--there now, it's out,' and she blubbered aloud.
'_What's_ out ?' said Toole, irritated.

'I can't stop here all day, you know; and if you'd rather I'd go, say so.' 'Oh no, but the major, nor Maggy does not know a word about it; and so, for your life, don't tell them; and--and--here it is.' And from her pocket she produced a number of the _Freeman's Journal_, five or six weeks old and a great deal soiled.
'Read it, read it, doctor dear, and you'll see.' 'Read all this! thank you, Ma'am; I read it a month ago,' said the doctor gruffly.
'Oh! no--this--only there--you see--_here_,' and she indicated a particular advertisement, which we here reprint for the reader's instruction; and thus it ran-- "MARY MATCHWELL'S most humble Respects attend the Nobility and Gentry.