had its edge of patronage and conceit, stung her into self-possession
again, and she briefly gave the points of Mrs. Maynard's case, with the
recent accident and the symptoms developed during the night. He listened
attentively, nodding his head at times, and now and then glancing sharply
at her, as one might at a surprisingly intelligent child.

"I must see her," he said decidedly, when she came to an end. "I will see
her as soon as possible. I will come over to Jocelyn's this
afternoon,--as soon as I can get my dinner, in fact."

There was such a tone of dismissal in his words that she rose, and he
promptly followed her example. She stood hesitating a moment. Then, "I
don't know whether you understood that I wish merely to consult with
you," she said; "that I don't wish to relinquish the case to you"--

"Relinquish the case--consult"--Dr. Mulbridge stared at her. "No, I don't
understand. What do you mean by not relinquishing the case? If there is
some one else in attendance"

"I am in attendance," said the girl firmly. "I am Mrs. Maynard's
physician."

"You? Physician"

"If you have looked at my card"--she began with indignant severity.

He gave a sort of roar of amusement and apology, and then he stared at
her again with much of the interest of a naturalist in an extraordinary
specimen.