"Yes, or maybe a little longer."
"She will feel no pain?"
"None."
"Nor be conscious of what you are doing?"
"She will be as much in oblivion as a sleeping infant," replied the doctor.
Mr. Carlton turned from Dr. Hillhouse and walked the whole length of the parlor twice, then stood still, and said, with painful impressiveness:
"Doctor, I place her in your hands. She is ready for anything we may decide upon as best."
He stopped and turned partly away to hide his feelings. But recovering himself, and forcing a smile to his lips, he said:
"To your professional eyes I show unmanly weakness. But you must bear in mind how very dear she is to me. It makes me shiver in every nerve to think of the knife going down into her tender flesh. You might cut me to pieces, doctor, if that would save her."
"Your fears exaggerate everything," returned Doctor Hillhouse, in an assuring voice. "She will go into a tranquil sleep, and while dreaming pleasant dreams we will quickly dissect out the tumor, and leave the freed organs to continue their healthy action under the old laws of unobstructed life."