ady would not pause in
its insidious attack while I was seeking Olivia. I deliberated for a few
minutes, endeavoring to look at a scheme which presented itself to me
from every point of view.

"I do not know that I might not leave you in your present position," I
said at last; "it may be I am acting from an over-strained sense of
duty. But if you will give me a formal deed protecting her from
yourself, I am willing to advance the funds necessary to remove you to
purer air, and more open quarters than these. A deed of separation,
which both of you must sign, can be drawn up, and receive your
signature. There will be no doubt as to getting hers, when we find her.
But that may be some months hence, as I said. Still I will run the
risk."

"For her sake?" he said, with a sneer.

"For her sake, simply," I answered; "I will employ a lawyer to draw up
the deed, and as soon as you sign it I will advance the money you
require. My treatment of your disease I shall begin at once; that falls,
under my duty as your doctor; but I warn you that fresh air and freedom
from agitation are almost, if not positively, essential to its success.
The sooner you secure these for yourself, the better your chance."

Some further conversation passed between us, as to the stipulations to
be insisted upon, and the division of the yearly income from Olivia's
property, for I would not agree to her alienating any portion of it.
Foster wished to drive a hard bargain, still with that odd smile on his
face; and it was after much discussion that we came to an agreement.

I had the deed drawn up by a lawyer, who warned me that, if Foster sued
for a restitution of his rights, they would be enforced. But I hoped
that when Olivia was found she would have some evidence in her own
favor, which would deter him from carrying the case into court. The deed
was signed by Foster, and left in my charge till Olivia's signature
could be obtained.

As soon as the deed was secured, I had my patient removed from
Bellringer Street to some apartments in Fulham, near to Dr. Senior,
whose interest in the case was now almost equal to my own. Here, if I
could not visit him every day, Dr. Senior did, while his great
professional skill enabled him to detect symptoms which might have
escaped my less experienced eye. Never had any sufferer, under the
highest and wealthiest ranks, greater care and science expended upon him
than Richard Foster.

The progress of his recovery was