think, who
through comparatively small sins have come to see the true nature of
them, whose consciences trouble them greatly. Those who have gone from
bad to worse through many years of moral decay, are seldom troubled as
other men, or have any bands in their death. His lordship, it is true,
suffered terribly at times because of the things he had done; but it
was through the medium of a roused imagination rather than a roused
conscience: the former deals with consequences; the latter with the
deeds themselves.

He declared he would see no doctor but his old attendant Dowster, yet
all the time was longing for the young man to appear: he might--who
could tell?--save him from the dreaded jaws of death!

He came. Donal went to him. He had summoned him, he said, without his
lordship's consent, but believed he would see him; the earl had been
long in the habit of using narcotics and stimulants, though not
alcohol, he thought; he trusted Mr. Avory would give his sanction to
the entire disuse of them, for they were killing him, body and soul.

"To give them up at once and entirely would cost him considerable
suffering," said the doctor.

"He knows that, and does not in the least desire to give them up. It is
absolutely necessary he should be delivered from the passion."

"If I am to undertake the case, it must be after my own judgment," said
the doctor.

"You must undertake two things, or give up the case," persisted Donal.

"I may as well hear what they are."

"One is, that you make his final deliverance from the habit your
object; the other, that you will give no medicine into his own hands."

"I agree to both; but all will depend on his nurse."

"I will be his nurse."

The doctor went to see his patient. The earl gave one glance at him,
recognized firmness, and said not a word. But when he would have
applied to his wrist an instrument recording in curves the motions of
the pulse, he would not consent. He would have no liberties taken with
him, he said.

"My lord, it is but to inquire into the action of your heart," said Mr.
Avory.

"I'll have no spying into my heart! It acts just like other people's!"

The doctor put his instrument aside, and laid his finger on the pulse
instead: his business was to help, not to conquer, he said to himself:
if he might not do what he would, he would do what he could.

While he was with the earl, Donal found lady Arctura, and told her all
he had done. She thanked him for u