“I beg your pardon, Miss Gartram. You shall not complain again.”
“Then tell me without any disguise—is my father’s life in danger?”
“Rest assured that it is not.”
“Thank heaven!”
“But I must tell you this—I can do nothing to arrest these fits—”
“These terrible fits!” sighed Claude.
”—Without I have his co-operation, for so much depends upon his living a quiet, peaceful life, without throwing himself into these violent fits of temper. You force me to speak plainly, but, of course, it is between us. If he knew that I said what I do, it would have a bad effect upon him, and send him into another passion.”
“But what can I do?” said Claude her eyes filling with tears.
“Use your woman’s wit. I can give you no better counsel. You must be the cooling oil to stop the friction when you see it arising; and, above all, never thwart him in anything upon which he has set his mind.”
A great sob struggled for exit in Claude’s breast as she heard the doctor’s words, which were more full of meaning to her than he realised, and she glanced round, to see that her cousin was watching her closely.