discover what is really wrong. Home!" she said, giving a quick,
imperious direction to the footman who appeared at the window of
the carriage.

We bowled forward at a rapid pace, and she continued:--

"I came to meet you to-day to tell you that I have used a little guile
with regard to your visit. I have not told Sir Henry that you are coming
here in the capacity of a doctor."

Here she paused and gave me one of her restless glances.

"Do you mind?" she asked.

"What have you said about me to Sir Henry?" I inquired.

"That you are a great friend of the Onslows, and that I have asked you
here for a week's change," she answered immediately.

"As a guest, my husband will be polite and delightful to you--as a
doctor, he would treat you with scant civility, and would probably give
you little or none of his confidence."

I was quite silent for a moment after Lady Studley had told me this.
Then I said:--

"Had I known that I was not to come to your house in the capacity of a
medical man, I might have re-considered my earnest desire to help you."

She turned very pale when I said this, and tears filled her eyes.