"Most certainly. It is his only hope."
"And do you understand what it is?"
"Of course. More--I understand what it involves. But do not fear. The danger has passed now. Do not let the anguish of such a discovery torment you. The danger has passed. He is weak now, and it is only his weakness that I have to contend with."
"You understand all, then?" repeated Hilda.
"Yes, all. But you must not speak about it now. Have confidence in me. The fact that I understand the disease will show you that I know how to deal with it. It baffled me before; but, as soon as I saw the medicine that you gave, I suspected and understood."
Hilda looked at him with awful inquiry.
"Be calm, my lady," said the doctor, in a sympathetic voice. "The worst is over. You have saved him."
"Say that again," said Hilda. "Have I, indeed, done any thing? Have I, indeed, saved him?"
"Most undoubtedly. Had it not been for you he would by this time have been in the other world," said the doctor, solemnly.
Hilda drew a deep sigh.