t were to follow, but simply because of my wife's objection
to being attended by any one but myself. I thought of advancing this
in excuse of a refusal, but checked myself, because I was sure that he
would interpret it as a rebuff, and in consequence hate me more bitterly
than ever. So in the end I accepted his offer gratefully, and we parted.

When I told Emma she was a little upset, but being a sensible woman she
soon saw the force of my arguments and fell in with the situation.
In truth, unselfish creature that she was, she thought more of the
advantage that would accrue to me by this formal burying of the hatchet
than of her own prejudices or convenience.

The time came and with it Sir John Bell, large, sharp-eyed, and jocose.
In due course and under favourable conditions a daughter was born to me,
a very beautiful child, fair like her mother, but with my dark eyes.

I think it was on the fourth day from the birth of the child that I went
after luncheon to see my wife, who so far had done exceedingly well.
I found her depressed, and she complained of headache. Just then the
servant arrived saying that I was wanted in the consulting-room, so I
kissed Emma and, after arranging her bed-clothing and turning her over
so that she might lie more comfortably, I hurried downstairs, telling
her that she had better go to sleep.

While I was engaged with my visitor Sir John Bell came to see my wife.
Just as the patient had gone and Sir John was descending the stairs a
messenger hurried in with a note summoning me instantly to attend upon
Lady Colford, the wife of a rich banker and baronet who, I knew, was
expecting her first confinement. Seizing my bag I started, and, as I
reached the front door, I thought that I heard Sir John, who was now
nearly at the foot of the stairs, call out something to me. I answered
that I couldn't stop but would see him later, to which I understood him
to reply "All right."

This was about three o'clock in the afternoon, but so protracted and
anxious was the case of Lady Colford that I did not reach home again
till eight. Having swallowed a little food, for I was thoroughly
exhausted, I went upstairs to see my wife. Entering the room softly I
found that she was asleep, and that the nurse also was dozing on the
sofa in the dressing-room. Fearing to disturb them, I kissed her lips,
and going downstairs returned at once to Sir Thomas Colford's house,
where I spent the entire night in attendance on