t having seen her. She may be the best nurse in existence,
but she is not a nurse of my providing. I have put that objection to
Sir Percival, as the master of the house. He doesn't support me. He
says a nurse of my providing would have been a stranger from London
also, and he thinks the woman ought to have a trial, after his wife's
aunt has taken the trouble to fetch her from London. There is some
justice in that, and I can't decently say No. But I have made it a
condition that she is to go at once, if I find reason to complain of
her. This proposal being one which I have some right to make, as
medical attendant, Sir Percival has consented to it. Now, Mrs.
Michelson, I know I can depend on you, and I want you to keep a sharp
eye on the nurse for the first day or two, and to see that she gives
Miss Halcombe no medicines but mine. This foreign nobleman of yours is
dying to try his quack remedies (mesmerism included) on my patient, and
a nurse who is brought here by his wife may be a little too willing to
help him. You understand? Very well, then, we may go upstairs. Is the
nurse there? I'll say a word to her before she goes into the sick-room."

We found Mrs. Rubelle still enjoying herself at the window. When I
introduced her to Mr. Dawson, neither the doctor's doubtful looks nor
the doctor's searching questions appeared to confuse her in the least.
She answered him quietly in her broken English, and though he tried
hard to puzzle her, she never betrayed the least ignorance, so far,
about any part of her duties. This was doubtless the result of
strength of mind, as I said before, and not of brazen assurance, by any
means.

We all went into the bedroom.

Mrs. Rubelle looked very attentively at the patient, curtseyed to Lady
Glyde, set one or two little things right in the room, and sat down
quietly in a corner to wait until she was wanted. Her ladyship seemed
startled and annoyed by the appearance of the strange nurse. No one
said anything, for fear of rousing Miss Halcombe, who was still
slumbering, except the doctor, who whispered a question about the
night. I softly answered, "Much as usual," and then Mr. Dawson went
out. Lady Glyde followed him, I suppose to speak about Mrs. Rubelle.
For my own part, I had made up my mind already that this quiet foreign
person would keep her situation. She had all her wits about her, and
she certainly understood her business. So far, I could hardly have
done much b