ted.
The house was in commotion; the dowager worse than any one in it. A
complication of fears beset her: first, terror for her own safety, and
next, the less abject dread that death might remove _her_ grandchild. In
this latter fear she partly lost her personal fears, so far at any rate
as to remain in the house; for it seemed to her that the child would
inevitably die if she left it. Late in the afternoon she rushed into the
presence of the doctors, who had just been holding a second consultation.

Sir Alexander Pepps recommended leeches to the throat: Mr. Brook
disapproved of them. "It is the one chance for his life," said Sir
Alexander.

"It is removing nearly all chance," said Mr. Brook.

Sir Alexander prevailed; and when they came forth it was understood that
leeches were to be applied. But here Lady Hartledon stepped in.

"I dread leeches to the throat, Sir Alexander, if you will forgive me for
saying so. I have twice seen them applied in scarlet-fever; and the
patients--one a young lady, the other a child--in both cases died."

"Madam, I have given my opinion," curtly returned the physician. "They
are necessary in Lord Elster's case."

"Do you approve of leeches?" cried Lady Hartledon, turning to Mr. Brook.

"Not altogether," was the cautious answer.

"Answer me one question, Mr. Brook," said Lady Hartledon, in her
earnestness. "Would you apply these leeches were you treating the case
alone?"

"No, madam, I would not."

Anne appealed to her husband. When the medical men differed, she thought
the decision lay with him.

"I'm sure I don't know," returned Val, who felt perfectly helpless to
advise. "Can't you decide, Anne? You know more about children and illness
than I do."

"I would do so without hesitating a moment were it my own child," she
replied. "I would not allow them to be put on."

"No, you would rather see him die," interrupted the dowager, who
overheard the words, and most intemperately and unjustifiably answered
them.

Anne coloured with shame for the old woman, but the words silenced her:
how was it possible to press her own opinion after that? Sir Alexander
had it all his own way, and the leeches were applied on either side the
throat, Mr. Brook emphatically asserting in Lady Hartledon's private ear
that he "washed his hands" of the measure. Before they came off the
consequences were apparent; the throat was swollen outwardly, on both
sides; within, it appeared to be closing.

Th