"In such a cause I should have risked the arms of Briareus, had I possessed them!" said I, with enthusiasm.
"Permit me to thank you, sir," said the baronet, stiffly and grandly. "I always thought that the gentleman who had rendered my family a service so important would have done us the honour to have left his card, at least."
"But I knew not whom I had aided, sir, or where to call."
"Most true," said Miss Chalcot; "I left you in such rude haste; but, then, I was so alarmed!"
"And now, Miss Chalcot, permit me to feel your pulse."
I put my fingers on the delicate wrist. Her pulse was going like lightning for a time; then it became intermittent; then feeble, as the old listless expression of inquietude stole over her fine face again, as her mind, probably by the object of my visit, reverted to its old train of thought, whatever it was.
Sir Percival regarded us dubiously over the point of his high, thin, aristocratic nose. I was evidently too young, perhaps too goad-looking, or had too great an air of empressement about me, to suit his ideas of a medical adviser for his daughter, so he said, coldly and loftily—
"Without disparagement to you, sir, I think I should rather have Crammer's opinion, Dr.—-Dr. Lorimer."
"Mortimer," I suggested, mildly.
"Ah, yes! If he don't come soon to town, I'll have Clarke or Cooper to see her."