everse or even to cavil at my treatment, at any rate in my presence,
though doubtless he criticised it freely elsewhere.

And so I flourished, and as I waxed he waned, until, calculating my
chances with my wife, I was able to prophesy that if no accident or
ill-chance occurred to stop me, within another three years I should be
the leading practitioner in Dunchester, while Sir John Bell would occupy
the second place.

But I had reckoned without his malice, for, although I knew this to be
inveterate, I had underrated its probable effects, and in due course the
ill-chance happened. It came about in this wise.

When we had been married something over two years my wife found herself
expecting to become a mother. As the event drew near she expressed great
anxiety that I should attend upon her. To this, however, I objected
strenuously--first, because I cannot bear to see any one to whom I am
attached suffer pain, and, secondly, because I knew that my affection
and personal anxiety would certainly unnerve me. Except in cases of the
utmost necessity no man, in my opinion, should doctor himself or his
family. Whilst I was wondering how to arrange matters I chanced to meet
Sir John Bell in consultation. After our business was over, developing
an unusual geniality of manner, he proposed to walk a little way with
me.

"I understand, my dear Therne," he said, "that there is an interesting
event expected in your family."

I replied that this was so.

"Well," he went on, "though we may differ on some points, I am sure
there is one upon which we shall agree--that no man should doctor his
own flesh and blood. Now, look here, I want you to let me attend upon
your good wife. However much you go-ahead young fellows may turn up
your noses at us old fossils, I think you will admit that by this time I
ought to be able to show a baby into the world, especially as I had the
honour of performing that office for yourself, my young friend."

For a moment I hesitated. What Sir John said was quite true; he was a
sound and skilful obstetrician of the old school. Moreover, he evidently
intended to hold out the olive branch by this kind offer, which I felt
that I ought to accept. Already, having conquered in the fray, I forgave
him the injuries that he had worked me. It is not in my nature to bear
unnecessary malice--indeed, I hate making or having an enemy. And yet
I hesitated, not from any premonition or presentiment of the dreadful
events tha