er; then answered, with
his most charming smile,

"Mine would be a very dismal profession dear lady, if it precluded me
from ever having a meal, or a conversation, or from spending a pleasant
evening, with a perfectly healthy person. I find the surest way to live
one's life to the full, accomplishing the maximum amount of work with the
minimum amount of strain, is to cultivate the habit of living in the
present; giving the whole mind to the scene, the subject, the person, of
the moment. Therefore, with your leave, we will dismiss my patients, past
and future; and enjoy, to the full, this unexpected _tete-a-tete_."

Myra Ingleby looked at her visitor. His forty-two years sat lightly on
him, notwithstanding the streaks of silver in the dark hair just over
each temple. There was a youthful alertness about the tall athletic
figure; but the lean brown face, clean shaven and reposeful, held a look
of quiet strength and power, mingled with a keen kindliness and ready
comprehension, which inspired trust, and drew forth confidence.

The burden of a great loneliness seemed lifted from Myra's heart.

"Do you always put so much salt on your bread-and-butter?" she said. "And
how glad I am to be 'the person of the moment.' Only--until this
mysterious 'patient in the neighbourhood' demands your attention,--you
ought to be having a complete holiday, and I must try to forget that I am
talking to the greatest nerve specialist of the day, and only realise the
pleasure of entertaining so good a friend of Michael's and my own.
Otherwise I should be tempted to consult you; for I really believe, Sir
Deryck, for the first time in my life, I am becoming neurotic."

The doctor did not need to look at his hostess. His practised eye had
already noted the thin cheeks; the haunted look; the purple shadows
beneath the lovely grey eyes, for which the dark fringes of black
eyelashes were not altogether accountable. He leaned forward and looked
into the fire.

"If such is really the case," he said, "that you should be aware of it,
is so excellent a symptom, that the condition cannot be serious. But I
want you to remember, Lady Ingleby, that I count all my patients,
friends; also that my friends may consider themselves at liberty, at any
moment, to become my patients. So consult me, if I can be of any use to
you."

The doctor helped himself to more bread-and-butter, folding it with
careful precision.

Lady Ingleby held out her hand for his cup,