He saw Augusta, took her temperature, examined her very carefully, looked into her eyes, felt her pulse, and then called Miss Roy aside.
“She is very ill, poor girl!” said the doctor.
“Her temperature is high, her pulse rapid, and she is undoubtedly very feverish. If it were not—— But no, that is impossible.”
“What do you mean?” said Miss Roy, in great alarm.
“Oh, nothing. I am sorry I alarmed you. Miss Duncan has not been near any infection, has she?”
“No; certainly not.”
“We have a few cases of smallpox; but, of course, if she has not been in the village she is safe. I am not attending poor Miss Aspray; Dr Reynolds is her physician. She was frightfully ill this afternoon; and the other sister, Flora, they say, is sickening. Miss Duncan has not been near them, has she?”
“No; of that I am positive,” replied Miss Roy. “Mrs. Richmond did not wish the children to make any fresh friends during her absence, and Augusta has had nothing to do with those young people for several weeks.”
“Oh! then, of course, it is not that—although some of the symptoms point to it.”
“Dr Earle, you quite terrify me.”