Ina retired. In a moment or two Miss Gale came out to her softly.
At sight of her face, La Klosking said, “Oh, dear; it is more serious than we thought.”
“Very serious.
“Poor Edward!”
“Collect all your courage, for I cannot lie, either to patient or friend.”
“And you are right,” said La Klosking, trembling. “I see he is in danger.”
“Worse than that. Where there's danger there is hope. Here there is none. HE IS A DEAD MAN!”
“Oh, no! no!”
“He has broken his back, and nothing can save him. His lower limbs have already lost sensation. Death will creep over the rest. Do not disturb your mind with idle hopes. You have two things to thank God for—that you took him into your own house, and that he will die easily. Indeed, were he to suffer, I should stupefy him at once, for nothing can hurt him.”
Ina Klosking turned faint and her knees gave way under her. Rhoda ministered to her; and while she was so employed, Dr. Menteith was announced. He was shown in to the patient, and the accident described to him. He questioned the patient, and examined him alone.