"What does that 'but' mean, doctor?"
"Means that you mustn't expect too much. I suppose you know that the mildest stimulant means reaction."
"I don't know that I ever thought about it, but I'll take your word for it."
"Well—you may. And you may take my word for this. When the vital powers are near their end—without disease, you know, without disease...."
"I know. She has nothing the matter with her."
"You can intensify vitality for a moment. But the reaction will come, and must hasten the end. You might halve the outstanding time of Life by doubling the vitality. If you employ any artificial stimulant, you only use up the heart-beats that are left. The upshot of it is—don't go beyond a tablespoonful twice a day with that liquor."
"I don't suppose she has had so much."
"Well—don't go beyond it. There is always the possibility—the bare possibility, even at eighty—of a definite revival. But...."
"But, again, doctor!"
"But again! Let it stop at that. I shall do no better by saying more. If I foresaw ... anything—within the next twelve hours, I would stay on to see your ladyship through. But there is nothing to go by. Quite impossible to predict!"