in fact--and I have had to
see her too or three times. Other calls have been imperative, and here
I am within a quarter of an hour of the time fixed for a most delicate
operation, and my preparations not half completed."

Doctor Kline regarded him for a few moments, and then said:

"This is unfortunate, doctor, and I would advise a postponement until
to-morrow. You should have had a morning free from anything but
unimportant calls."

"Oh no. I cannot think of a postponement," Doctor Hillhouse replied.
"All the arrangements have been made at Mr. Carlton's, and my patient
is ready. To put it off for a single day might cause a reaction in her
feelings and produce an unfavorable condition. It will have to be done
to-day."

"You must not think of keeping your appointment to the hour," said
Doctor Kline, glancing at his watch. "Indeed, that would now be
impossible. Doctor Angier had better go and say that we will be there
within half an hour. Don't hurry yourself in the slightest degree. Take
all the time you need to make yourself ready. I will remain and assist
you as best I can."

A clear-seeing and controlling mind was just what Doctor Hillhouse
needed at that moment. He saw the value of Doctor Kline's suggestion,
and promptly accepted it. Doctor Angier was despatched to the residence
of Mr. Carlton to advise that gentleman of the brief delay and to make
needed preparations for the work that was to be done.

The very necessity felt by Doctor Hillhouse for a speedy repression of
the excitement from which he was suffering helped to increase the
disturbance, and it was only after he had used a stimulant stronger
than he wished to take that he found his nerves becoming quiet and the
hand on whose steadiness so much depended growing firm.

At half-past twelve Doctor Hillhouse, in company with Doctor Kline,
arrived at Mr. Carlton's. The white face and scared look of the female
servant who admitted them showed how strongly fear and sympathy were at
work in the house. She directed them to the room which had been set
apart for their use. In the hall above Mr. Carlton met them, and
returned with a trembling hand and silent pressure the salutation of
the two physicians, who passed into a chamber next to the one occupied
by their patient and quickly began the work of making everything ready.
Acting from previous concert, they drew the table which had been
provided into the best light afforded by the room, and then arranged
in