that the old adage, 'Even a cat may look at a king,' was no longer a fact
until I overheard what was said the other day. My last wish is to keep you
from coming to the hospital, and in expressing my regret at having been
the cause of embarrassment to you, I wish to add a pledge that henceforth,
if you will resume your visits, you and Swot shall be free from my
intrusion. Good-night," he ended, as he started down the steps.

"But I never--really I have no right to exclude--nor do I wish--"
protested the girl; and then, as the servant opened the front door, even
this halting attempt at an explanation ceased. She echoed a "Good-night,"
adding, "and thank you for all your kindness," and very much startled and
disturbed the footman, as she passed into the hallway, by audibly
remarking, "Idiot!"

She went upstairs slowly, as if thinking, and once in her room, seated
herself at her desk and commenced a note. Before she had written a page
she tore the paper in two and began anew. Twice she repeated this
proceeding; then rose in evident irritation, and, walking to her fire,
stood looking down into the flame. "I'll think out what I had better do
when I'm not so tired," she finally remarked, as she rang for her maid.
But once in bed, her thoughts, or the previous strain, kept her long hours
awake; and when at last she dropped into unconsciousness her slumber was
made miserable by dreams mixing in utter confusion operating-room and
dinner, guests and microbes--dreams in which she was alternately striving
to explain something to Dr. Armstrong, who could not be brought to
understand, or to conceal something he was determined to discover. Finally
she found herself stretched on the dinner-table, the doctor, knife in
hand, standing over her, with the avowed intention of opening her heart to
learn some secret, and it was her helpless protests and struggles which
brought consciousness to her--to discover that she had slept far into the