n the
Tuesday morning she had felt so certain that she had contrived to
open the post-bag herself in spite of illness;--but there had been
nothing for her. Then she sent the dispatch which reached Frank on
the Wednesday morning, and immediately afterwards took to her bed
again with such a complication of disorders that the mare with the
broken knees was sent at once into Hastings for the doctor.

"A little rice will be the best thing for her," said the doctor.

"But the poor child takes nothing,--literally nothing," said Lady
Tringle, who was frightened for her child. Then the doctor went on
to say that arrowroot would be good, and sago, but offered no other
prescription. Lady Tringle was disgusted by his ignorance, and
thought that it might be well to send up to London for some great
man. The doctor bowed, and made up his mind that Lady Tringle was an
ass. But, being an honest man, and also tender-hearted, he contrived
to get hold of Tom before he left the house.

"Your sister's health is generally good?" he said. Tom assented. As
far as he knew, Gertrude had always been as strong as a horse. "Eats
well?" asked the doctor. Tom, who occasionally saw the family at
lunch, gave a description of his sister's general performance.

"She is a fine healthy young lady," said the doctor. Tom gave a
brother's ready adhesion to the word healthy, but passed over the
other epithet as being superfluous. "Now, I'll tell you what it is,"
said the doctor. "Of course I don't want to inquire into any family
secrets."

"My father, you know," said Tom, "won't agree about the man she's
engaged to."

"That is it? I knew there was some little trouble, but I did not want
to ask any questions. Your mother is unnecessarily frightened, and
I have not wished to disturb her. Your sister is taking plenty of
nourishment?"

"She does not come to table, nor yet have it in her own room."

"She gets it somehow. I can say that it is so. Her veins are full,
and her arms are strong. Perhaps she goes into the kitchen. Have a
little tray made ready for her, with something nice. She will be sure
to find it, and when she has found it two or three times she will
know that she has been discovered. If Lady Tringle does send for
a physician from London you could perhaps find an opportunity of
telling him what I have suggested. Her mamma need know nothing about
it." This took place on the Tuesday, and on the Wednesday morning
Gertrude knew that she had been