“Is it a serious illness?” said Kirke his voice sinking low, his eyes anxiously fixed on the doctor’s face.
“It is a dangerous illness,” said Mr. Merrick, with an emphasis on the word.
He drew his chair nearer to Kirke and looked at him attentively.
“May I ask you some questions which are not strictly medical?” he inquired.
Kirke bowed.
“Can you tell me what her life has been before she came into this house, and before she fell ill?”
“I have no means of knowing. I have just returned to England after a long absence.”
“Did you know of her coming here?”
“I only discovered it by accident.”
“Has she no female relations? No mother? no sister? no one to take care of her but yourself?”