ly;--if you are
ill, I am sorry... sir; but sir, my child is dying. We fear she is
dying, sir; and you must come, and see if anything can save her. I
shall never forgive myself for going on as we have been doing. She has
been sacrificed--fairly sacrificed, I fear."

"Nay, Mr Rowland, I must comfort you there," said Hope, as they walked
rapidly along the street. "I have had occasion to see a great deal of
Mr Walcot and his professional conduct, in the course of the last few
weeks; and I am certain that he has a very competent knowledge of his
business. I assure you he shows more talent, more power altogether, in
his professional than his unprofessional conduct; and in this particular
disease he has now had much experience."

"God bless you for saying so, my dear sir! It is like you--always
generous, always just and kind! You must forgive us, Mr Hope. At a
time like this, you must overlook all causes of offence. They are very
great, I know; but you will not visit them upon us now."

"We have only to do with the present now," said Hope. "Not a word about
the past, I entreat you."

Mrs Rowland, to-day reckless of everything but her child, was standing
out on the steps, watching, as for the last hope for her Matilda.

"She is much worse, Mr Hope; suddenly and alarmingly worse. This way:
follow me."

Hope would speak with Mr Walcot first. As he entered the study, to
await Mr Walcot, Philip passed out. They did not speak.

"Oh, Philip! speak to Mr Hope!" cried Mrs Rowland. "For God's sake do
not do anything to offend him now!"

"I will do everything in my power, madam, to save your child," said
Hope. "Do not fear that the conduct of her relations will be allowed to
injure her."

"My love," said Mr Rowland, "Mr Hope came from a sick bed to help us.
Do not distrust him. Indeed he deserves better from us."

"Pray forgive me," said the miserable mother. "I do not well know what
I am saying. But I will atone for all if you save my child."

"Priscilla!" cried her brother, from the doorway, against which he was
leaning. His tone of wonder was lost as Walcot entered, and the study
was left for the conference of the medical men.

As the gentlemen went upstairs to Matilda's room, they saw one child
here, and another there, peeping about, in silence and dismay. As Hope
put his hand on the head of one in passing, Mr Rowland said:

"There is a carriage coming for them presently, to take them away. Anna