"By all means," said Levine, "let us take the worst for granted. Then possibly he'll think better of it."
The family, therefore, adopted its characteristic policy of assuming Hugh's intentions to be obvious, of refusing to be surprised or even greatly interested.
Only the Doctor, watching quietly, waited for his moment. It came the next evening when he dropped in to dine with Hugh. He turned the conversation upon Jane Holland, upon her illness, upon its cause and her recovery.
"I shouldn't be surprised," said he, "if some time or other she was to have a bad nervous break-down."
Hugh laughed. "My dear Henry, you wouldn't be surprised if everybody had a bad nervous break-down. It's what you're always expecting them to have."
Henry said he did expect it in women of Miss Holland's physique, who habitually over-drive their brains beyond the power of their body. He became excessively professional as he delivered himself on this head.
It was his subject. He was permitted to enlarge upon it from time to time, and Hugh was not in the least surprised at his entering on it now. It was what he had expected of Henry, and he said so.
Henry looked steadily at his brother.
"I have had her," said he, "under very close observation."
"So have I," said Hugh. "You forget that she is an exceptional woman."