pect
he has dreadful nights." Two hectic spots burnt in her cheeks as she
spoke. I looked at her attentively.

"You will forgive me for speaking," I said, "but you do not look at all
well yourself. I should like to prescribe for you as well as
your husband."

"Thank you," she answered, "I am not very strong. I never have been, but
that is nothing--I mean that my health is not a thing of consequence at
present. Well, I must not take up any more of your time. I shall expect
to get a letter from you to-morrow morning. Please address it to Lady
Studley, Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria."

She touched my hand with fingers that burnt like a living coal and left
the room.

I thought her very ill, and was sure that if I could see my way to
spending a week at Studley Grange, I should have two patients instead of
one. It is always difficult for a busy doctor to leave home, but after
carefully thinking matters over, I resolved to comply with Lady
Studley's request.

[Illustration: "LADY STUDLEY HAD COME HERSELF TO FETCH ME."]

Accordingly, two days later saw me on my way to Wiltshire, and to
Studley Grange. A brougham with two smart horses was waiting at the
station. To my surprise I saw that Lady Studley had come herself
to fetch me.

"I don't know how to thank you," she said, giving me a feverish clasp of
her hand. "Your visit fills me with hope--I believe that you will
discover what is really wrong. Home!" she said, giving a quick,
imperious direction to the footman who appeared at the window of
the carriage.

We bowled forward at a rapid pace, and she continued:--

"I came to meet you to-day to tell you that I have used a little guile
with regard to your visit. I have not told Sir Henry that you are coming
here in the capacity of a doctor."

Here she paused and gave me one of her restless glances.

"Do you mind?" she asked.

"What have you said about me to Sir Henry?" I inquired.

"That you are a great friend of the Onslows, and that I have asked you
here for a week's change," she answered immediately.

"As a guest, my husband will be polite and delightful to you--as a
doctor, he would treat you with scant civility, and would probably give
you little or none of his confidence."

I was quite silent for a moment after Lady Studley had told me this.
Then I said:--

"Had I known that I was not to come to your house in the capacity of a
medical man, I might have re-considered my earnest desire to help you."

She tu