moned to prepare the patient for the coming of the
physician. When this had been done, and the wise man arose to go to
his patient, John Arthur and Lucian would have followed him. But he
waved them back, saying: "Not now, gentlemen, if you please; let me
examine my patient first. That is always safest and wisest."

So the three, Lucian, Arthur, and his sister, sat in solemn silence
awaiting the verdict of the doctor from Europe. At last he came, and
the gravity of his face was something to marvel at. Advancing toward
Mr. Arthur, the doctor seemed to be looking him through and through as
he asked:

"Will you tell me how lately you have been in your wife's room."

John Arthur answered him with pallid lips. "We were there this
morning, my sister and I."

The doctor turned toward Miss Arthur, looking, if possible, more
serious than ever.

"I am sorry, very sorry," he said. "And I hope you have incurred no
risks. But it is my duty to tell you that Mrs. Arthur is attacked with
a fever of a most malignant and contagious type, and you have
certainly been exposed."

Mr. Arthur turned the color of chalk and dropped into the nearest
chair. Miss Arthur, who could not change her color, shrieked and fell
upon the sofa. Lucian groaned after the most approved fashion. And
the man of medicine continued,

"Above all things, don't agitate yourselves; be calm. I would advise
you to retire to your own rooms, and remain there for the present. I
will immediately prepare some powders, which you will take hourly. We
will begin in time, and hope that you may both escape the contagion."

[Illustration: "I am sorry, very sorry."--page 288.]

Then he turned to Mr. Davlin. "My dear boy, you had better go back to
the city; at least go away from the house. This is no place for you."

But Lucian shook his head, and said that he would not leave while his
sister was in danger.

The following morning Dr. Le Guise presented himself at the door of
Miss Arthur's dressing-room. After making many inquiries, such as
doctors are wont to terrify patients with, he pronounced upon the
case: She had thus far escaped contagion. But her system was not over
strong; in fact, was extremely delicate. If there was any place near
at hand, suited to a lady like herself, his advice was to go there
without delay. She was not rugged enough to risk remaining where she
was.

Before sunset, Miss Arthur was quartered at the Bellair inn. She had
dispatched Mr. Percy