"Not at present, doctor," she said.
I took up my hat to go, and said that I would call again soon and would bring her tidings of Charles; that I was going there straight from her.
"Stay, stay," she said. "You have told me nothing about him as yet."
"Well, my dear young lady," I said, "I really do not know what to tell you about him. Like yourself, he refused to take my medicine, and——"
"What, he refused! Then how is it that he is getting well? That he does not appear to me now? Doctor, you have had something administered on the sly. I know it. I see it in your face;" and the look that she gave me was so penetrating, that I quite quailed under it, and was obliged to admit that I had.
"And you are going to try the same trick with me. Oh! oh!"
Here she groaned, and threw herself forward on the bed in agony.
"My dear Miss Edith," I said, compassionately, "calm yourself; pray reflect. I can't, I daren't leave you to die. Be persuaded, and take only a little harmless, quieting medicine, not nauseous to the taste, and which may not have the effect of making you cease to dream."
But my fair patient was not to be persuaded, so, with hat in hand, I made another step towards the door.
"Stay, doctor," she said; "whatever you do, keep our conversation secret from the people of the house."