THE LAST MEETING.
The night's work told on Dr. Davenal. The soaking rain, the chilling wind, had struck inward the perspiration which Mrs. Scott's heated room had induced. On the next day he was visibly ill. Sara noticed it, and begged him not to go out.
"Not go out, child? I must go out."
"But you are not in a state for it. I am sure you are very ill."
"I caught cold last night; that's what it is. It will go off in a day or two."
"Yes if you will lie by and nurse yourself. Not if you go out to make it worse."
"I have never lain by in all my life, Sara. A doctor has no time for it. What would become of my patients?"
He went out to his carriage, then waiting for him. The close carriage. Bright as the day was--for the weather had changed--it was the close carriage that had been ordered round by the doctor.
"Is master ill, I wonder?" thought Roger, when he found it was only to pay the daily round of near visits.
As the doctor went out at the gate it happened that Oswald Cray was passing. And Mr. Oswald Cray quite started when he saw Dr. Davenal, the change in him was so great.