"It is liver," said Doctor Bree, "and she must swallow plenty of mercury."
"No such thing," said Doctor Nevinson. "It is neither more nor less than over-excitement of the nerves, with too much anxiety, fatigue, and distress of mind."
"All this has disordered her liver," reiterated Doctor Bree, who has written a book on people's livers.
"I won't stand it," said Doctor Nevinson; "and, before Harriette begins upon your mercury, I will call in Dr. Pemberton."
"Never mind that cough, ma'am," said Pemberton: "you may keep it till you are eighty, and it will be an amusement to you. It is only a nervous cough."
However I continued very ill in spite of all these gentlemen could do for me.
When my spirits and health were at their very worst, I was informed that poor Julia was dying and wanted to see me. I could not refuse her request. Her features bore the fixed rigidity of death when I entered her room. Her complaint, like her late poor friend's, was a disease of the heart, and there was no remedy.
She talked much of her dear Fanny, and said she had been certain from the first that she should soon follow her to the grave.
I insisted on writing to Napier, who was at Melton Mowbray.
"No! no!" said poor Julia. "If you will lend me your carriage, I am sure I shall be able to join him in a few days. I shall soon be better."