Leaving his gig in the yard, he entered the house by the side-door, ignoring ceremony as of old, and went at once to Miss Winter. She and Mrs. Carlyon had just finished dinner, and were sitting at dessert. Hearing what was the matter the Doctor went off to see Eliza, promising to return to them and report.
"It is rather severe," said he, when he came back, "but there's nothing dangerous about it. I'll come up again in the morning."
"Sit down, Doctor," said Ella, "and take a glass of wine."
He drew a chair to the fire; the evening was damp and chilly, and a fire had been lighted for dinner. Ella and Mrs. Carlyon turned from the table to sit with him, and they talked of this and that as he sipped the wine.
"As you are here, Dr. Spreckley, I think I will ask you to give me a little medicine; an alterative, or something of that kind," observed Mrs. Carlyon presently, in a pause of the conversation.
"Ah!" cried the Doctor. "What's amiss?"
"My liver is out of order, I fancy. I had a severe bilious attack after that fright, and I am not right yet."
Dr. Spreckley turned his head to her rather sharply. "What fright?" he asked.
Mrs. Carlyon glanced across at Ella. She had spoken without thought.
"I really see no reason why we should not tell you," she resumed, after a minute's consideration. "In fact, I have observed to Ella once or twice that it might be better if we did mention it to some discreet friend. Not that anything can be done."