“This rather staggered the good old doctor, who had just come from the house, where he had examined and weighed the infant. He started up from his chair, and, drawing back, exclaimed:
“What do you mean? Explain yourself.”
I then at length narrated all I knew concerning the Quintin family, and, as I proceeded with my story, the old man’s eyes opened wider and wider as he exclaimed:
“My God what a diabolical plot”!
“Yes, indeed, and I was invited to join in it.”
“Well, well. I certainly would never have suspected anything of the kind.”
“Nor would anyone. The thing was well arranged, and artfully carried out.”
“I suppose they will send for you now.”
“Not at all. That is only a sham to get rid of your attendance. The husband will be given to understand that you were hurriedly called in, and that, my assistance being unneeded, they did not think it worth-while troubling me.”
After consulting with Dr. P. for a considerable time and putting the case in different lights, we came to the conclusion that it would be as well now to let matters take their course. Any interference on our part would only have raised a great public scandal, and rendered both Mr. and Mrs. Quintin miserable, without benefiting anyone, so we allowed the poor man to believe that his prayers were answered, and that the beautiful girl he fondled was really his own.