"Are you aware that your words are offensive and that they cast an imputation upon me? When I think my wife requires other attention or supervision it will be time to get it. She has the most implicit confidence in me--or had until you sought to undermine it."
Isla did not even take the trouble to deny the false charge, but merely left the room, seriously troubled about what was her duty in the matter.
A week later, she left the house one morning to do her ordinary shopping and, in the course of her outing, walked the whole length of Mount Street, looking for the house of Dr. Stephens. When she found it she hesitated a moment or two before she rang the bell. She was only encouraged to take this step by the reflection that a doctor's consulting-room is the grave of many secrets and that nothing she could say there would be used against her.
A motor-car was in waiting, and when the door of the house was opened she saw the doctor coming out to start upon his rounds.
"I am just going out, but I can see you, of course," he said cordially enough, leading the way to his consulting-room.
Isla's first look at him pleased her. He was tall and thin and clean-shaven with a clever, serious face--a man to whom it would be possible to explain the situation in a very few words.
"You don't know me, Dr. Stephens, and I hardly know how to explain my call this morning. I come from the house of Mrs. Bodley-Chard in Hans Crescent."
"Oh, indeed!" he said interestedly. "And how is Mrs. Chard?"
"She is very unwell," said Isla in a low, quick voice. "I am her housekeeper-companion. My name is Mackinnon."
"Yes?" said the doctor still interestedly. "Mrs. Bodley-Chard has had a good many, I think."