“It is most painful, madam,” he said, “to have to speak out before you; but since you insist—”
“Yes; I do insist,” said Claude firmly. “Let us all know the truth.”
“The truth is this, madam,” he said; “Mr Glyddyr—”
He paused, and looked round the drawing-room, where Mary, Trevithick and Gellow were seated.
”—Mr Glyddyr, though apparently naturally of a good constitution, has completely shattered his health by terrible excesses in the use of stimulants. Our friend here, my brother practitioner, has done everything possible, and has accepted a few suggestions of mine which I hope will have good results.”
“But you will save his life, Doctor?” said Claude piteously.
“I hope yes, my dear madam. I think I can say you may rely upon our friend here. It will be a long and tedious recovery, no doubt, and afterwards it will rest with you to save him from the temptation of further indulgence.—And if he is not an idiot he will thank his stars for his fate,” added the great Doctor himself.
“And I will try so hard, so hard,” vowed Claude. “It was like a judgment upon me. Yes, I will try to be his good, true wife, and bring him back to a better life.”
Thus, on her knees that night, ere she lay down to rest.