To resume. The night passed as usual without producing any change for
the better in Miss Halcombe. The next day she seemed to improve a
little. The day after that her ladyship the Countess, without
mentioning the object of her journey to any one in my hearing,
proceeded by the morning train to London--her noble husband, with his
customary attention, accompanying her to the station.

I was now left in sole charge of Miss Halcombe, with every apparent
chance, in consequence of her sister's resolution not to leave the
bedside, of having Lady Glyde herself to nurse next.

The only circumstance of any importance that happened in the course of
the day was the occurrence of another unpleasant meeting between the
doctor and the Count.

His lordship, on returning from the station, stepped up into Miss
Halcombe's sitting-room to make his inquiries. I went out from the
bedroom to speak to him, Mr. Dawson and Lady Glyde being both with the
patient at the time. The Count asked me many questions about the
treatment and the symptoms. I informed him that the treatment was of
the kind described as "saline," and that the symptoms, between the
attacks of fever, were certainly those of increasing weakness and
exhaustion. Just as I was mentioning these last particulars, Mr.
Dawson came out from the bedroom.

"Good-morning, sir," said his lordship, stepping forward in the most
urbane manner, and stopping the doctor, with a high-bred resolution
impossible to resist, "I greatly fear you find no improvement in the
symptoms to-day?"

"I find decided improvement," answered Mr. Dawson.

"You still persist in your lowering treatment of this case of fever?"
continued his lordship.

"I persist in the treatment which is justified by my own professional
experience," said Mr. Dawson.

"Permit me to put one question to you on the vast subject of
professional experience," observed the Count. "I presume to offer no
more advice--I only presume to make an inquiry. You live at some
distance, sir, from the gigantic centres of scientific activity--London
and Paris. Have you ever heard of the wasting effects of fever being
reasonably and intelligibly repaired by fortifying the exhausted
patient with brandy, wine, ammonia, and quinine? Has that new heresy of
the highest medical authorities ever reached your ears--Yes or No?"

"When a professional man puts that question to me I shall be glad to
answer him," said the doctor, opening the door