agree with your suggestion, where is it going to end? How can you hope
that such a course of deception can possibly bring any real happiness
to poor Francis? Your medical mind sees nothing but the one point,
which is--life at all cost--anything to prolong life--while there is
life there is hope. I know all the clauses of your creed."

"Aye!" said the doctor, vehemently--he almost shouted the word--"you
are right. It is my creed, and I'm here to carry it out. Any step
that will prolong life it is my duty to take. And I know--I know--that
any attempt to upset Francis Heathcote's belief that it is Philippa
Harford come back again will result in his death. It will kill him."

He took his watch out of his pocket and noted the time, and as he did
so the door opened and Philippa Harford the second walked into the room.

Major Heathcote moved to meet her. "You did not expect to see me," he
said. "But I had a letter from the doctor here, telling me of
Francis's--illness--and I came at once."

"How is your boy?" asked Philippa. "I do hope you and Marion are less
anxious."

"He is doing pretty well, but there must be anxiety for some days yet,
I fear," was his reply. "Certain complications have arisen which must
make his recovery slow, but we have every reason to be hopeful. It is
not, however, to talk about Dickie that I came to-day, but about
yourself, and to express my sincere regret that you should have been
placed in a position so complicated and so difficult while in my house.
Will you sit down?"

Philippa seated herself. "I had an appointment with the doctor for
eleven o'clock," she said quietly. "I hope I have not kept you
waiting." She turned to Dr. Gale as she spoke.

He shook his head. He was watching the girl with the greatest
attention, striving to read the verdict which he awaited with very
evident anxiety. He could read nothing from her face. It told him
nothing.

"Dr. Gale has told me," began the Major, speaking rather quickly, "of
your meeting with Francis Heathcote, and the most unfortunate mistake
he has made as to your identity. I cannot tell you how deeply grieved
I am that this has happened. He has also told me of the very
extraordinary change which that meeting has brought about in Francis'
mental condition. Up to this point I can only be truly grateful to you
for your kindness and sympathy with one whose life has been so pitiably
wrecked, but beyond this--well, it is a very d