"Oh, Dr. Stephens, I couldn't do that! But surely you, an influential medical man, knowing the facts, can do something--ought to do something----"
He shook his head.
"I'm not so well up in medical jurisprudence as I used to be," he said with a slight smile. "But I'll take expert opinion to-day. Could you possibly come and see me to-morrow?"
"I could, of course. What I am trying to do is to persuade Mrs. Chard to let you resume personal attendance on her. If she consents will you come?"
"I don't know. It is a very awkward case. Don't forget that Chard put me out of the house because I told him quite plainly--well, just what you have told me to-day."
Isla saw the difficulties of the position and, after a little more conversation with the doctor which strengthened her determination to get him back to the house, she bade him good-morning.
When she reached Hans Crescent it was almost lunch-time, and Robbins, the butler, was waiting for her with a note.
"This has come by hand from the city for you, Miss. It is from Mr. Chard."
Isla turned aside to open the letter, and when she broke the seal she saw a pink slip that looked like a cheque.
Within, there were written a few curt words, dismissing her from her position in the house and requesting that she would leave before four o'clock.