"You are my poor little patient's brother, are you not?" he said, glancing pityingly at Eric. "Ah, I thought so!"
"Please tell me exactly how she is," Eric implored. "I have to return to the Moat House presently, and what am I to say to Uncle Jasper?"
"Say your sister is seriously ill, but I cannot tell to-night how it will be with her. I am going back to T— now, but shall return in a couple of hours to visit the patient again. Afterwards I will call at the Moat House, and see Sir Jasper myself."
"Oh, thank you!" Eric replied. "You do not think the case hopeless?"
"No, certainly not." The doctor laid his hand very kindly on the boy's shoulder, and felt how he trembled. "Be a brave lad," he said; "go back to the Moat House, for you can no good here, and try not to despond."
"Cannot I see Joy?"
"No. She must be kept perfectly undisturbed."
"But I will not disturb her."
"You will not see her with my consent," the doctor said, decisively; "her mother and Miss Mary Pring will remain with her to-night, and the Vicar and my friend here" —indicating Lawrence Puttenham— "will be at hand, so you may depend if there is the slightest change in your sister's condition you will be informed at once. But I anticipate no immediate change."
The doctor took his departure, and Eric, seeing no course open but to act on his advice, returned to the Moat House. Sir Jasper listened to his report in silence; but the boy saw the old man was much agitated, and his heart warmed towards him on that account.