ck, he stood, self-proclaimed, a prosperous
country doctor--successful and popular in a wide circle of patients and
friends. As Mrs. Crayford approached him, he stepped out briskly to
meet her on the lawn, with both hands extended in courteous and cordial
greeting.

"My dear madam, accept my heartfelt congratulations!" cried the doctor.
"I have seen the good news in the paper; and I could hardly feel more
rejoiced than I do now if I had the honor of knowing Lieutenant Crayford
personally. We mean to celebrate the occasion at home. I said to my
wife before I came out, 'A bottle of the old Madeira at dinner to-day,
mind!--to drink the lieutenant's health; God bless him!' And how is our
interesting patient? The news is not altogether what we could wish, so
far as she is concerned. I felt a little anxious, to tell you the truth,
about the effect of it; and I have paid my visit to-day before my usual
time. Not that I take a gloomy view of the news myself. No! There is
clearly a doubt about the correctness of the information, so far as
Mr. Aldersley is concerned--and that is a point, a great point in Mr.
Aldersley's favor. I give him the benefit of the doubt, as the lawyers
say. Does Miss Burnham give him the benefit of the doubt too? I hardly
dare hope it, I confess."

"Miss Burnham has grieved and alarmed me," Mrs. Crayford answered. "I
was just thinking of sending for you when we met here."

With those introductory words, she told the doctor exactly what had
happened; repeating not only the conversation of that morning between
Clara and herself, but also the words which had fallen from Clara, in
the trance of the past night.

The doctor listened attentively. Little by little, its easy smiling
composure vanished from his face, as Mrs. Crayford went on, and left him
completely transformed into a grave and thoughtful man.

"Let us go and look at her," he said.

He seated himself by Clara's side, and carefully studied her face, with
his hand on her pulse. There was no sympathy here between the dreamy
mystical temperament of the patient and the downright practical
character of the doctor. Clara secretly disliked her medical attendant.
She submitted impatiently to the close investigation of which he made
her the object. He questioned her--and she answered irritably. Advancing
a step further (the doctor was not easily discouraged) he adverted to
the news of the Expedition, and took up the tone of remonstrance which
had bee