"You never told me you knew the Derinzys, father."
"My dear boy, I don't suppose I have ever mentioned the names of one-third of the persons whom I know professionally in your hearing."
"But you knew Paul was my friend."
"Exactly," said the Doctor, with a smile, "and in my knowledge of that fact you might perhaps find the reason of my silence."
"Ah!" said George, "of course I see now; it is no use beating about the bush any longer; I must come to it at last, and may as well do so at once. You will tell me, won't you? Is Annette Derinzy mad?"
The Doctor was not the least disturbed by the question, nor by the excited manner--so different from George's usual calm--in which it was put. He looked up steadily as he replied:
"Yes; I should say decidedly yes, in the broad and general acceptation of the word; for people are called mad who are occasionally subjects of mental hallucination, and at other times are remarkably clear-sighted and keen-witted, Miss Derinzy is one of these."
"Have you attended her?"
"For some years."
"And she has always been subject to these attacks?"