if Sir Francis had not objected?"

"Well, there are, you see, considerations which we must not ignore in
our profession. Death is a serious thing, as I am sure I need not remind
you, Mr. Trefusis. We have sometimes higher duties than indulgence to
the natural feelings of our patients."

"Quite so. The possibility of eternal bliss and the probability of
eternal torment are consolations not to be lightly withheld from a
dying girl, eh? However, what's past cannot be mended. I have much to
be thankful for, after all. I am a young man, and shall not cut a bad
figure as a widower. And now tell me, doctor, am I not in very bad
repute upstairs?"

"Mr. Trefusis! Sir! I cannot meddle in family matters. I understand my
duties and never over step them." The doctor, shocked at last, spoke as
loftily as he could.

"Then I will go and see Mr. Jansenius," said Trefusis, getting off the
table.

"Stay, sir! One moment. I have not finished. Mrs. Jansenius has asked
me to ask--I was about to say that I am not speaking now as the medical
adviser of this family; but although an old friend--and--ahem! Mrs.
Jansenius has asked me to ask--to request you to excuse Mr. Jansenius,
as he is prostrated by grief, and is, as I can--as a medical man--assure
you, unable to see anyone. She will speak to you herself as soon as she
feels able to do so--at some time this evening. Meanwhile, of course,
any orders you may give--you must be fatigued by your journey, and I
always recommend people not to fast too long; it produces an acute form
of indigestion--any orders you may wish to give will, of course, be
attended to at once."

"I think," said Trefusis, after a moment's reflection, "I will order a
hansom."

"There is no ill-feeling," said the doctor, who, as a slow man, was
usually alarmed by prompt decisions, even when they seemed wise to him,
as this one did. "I hope you have not gathered from anything I have
said--"

"Not at all; you have displayed the utmost tact. But I think I had
better go. Jansenius can bear death and misery with perfect fortitude
when it is on a large scale and hidden in a back slum. But when it
breaks into his own house, and attacks his property--his daughter was
his property until very recently--he is just the man to lose his head
and quarrel with me for keeping mine."

The doctor was unable to cope with this speech, which conveyed vaguely
monstrous ideas to him. Seeing Trefusis about to leave, he said in a low
voic