sible to conceal the circumstance, as his lordship
rang repeatedly for the courier; insisting that the man should relieve
Lady Montbarry and the Baron by taking their places during the night at
his bedside.

'On the 15th (the day on which the old woman first came to do the
housework), his lordship complained of sore throat, and of a feeling of
oppression on the chest. On this day, and again on the 16th, her
ladyship and the Baron entreated him to see a doctor. He still
refused. "I don't want strange faces about me; my cold will run its
course, in spite of the doctor,"--that was his answer. On the 17th he
was so much worse that it was decided to send for medical help whether
he liked it or not. Baron Rivar, after inquiry at the consul's,
secured the services of Doctor Bruno, well known as an eminent
physician in Venice; with the additional recommendation of having
resided in England, and having made himself acquainted with English
forms of medical practice.

'Thus far our account of his lordship's illness has been derived from
statements made by Lady Montbarry. The narrative will now be most
fitly continued in the language of the doctor's own report, herewith
subjoined.

'"My medical diary informs me that I first saw the English Lord
Montbarry, on November 17. He was suffering from a sharp attack of
bronchitis. Some precious time had been lost, through his obstinate
objection to the presence of a medical man at his bedside. Generally
speaking, he appeared to be in a delicate state of health. His nervous
system was out of order--he was at once timid and contradictory. When
I spoke to him in English, he answered in Italian; and when I tried him
in Italian, he went back to English. It mattered little--the malady
had already made such progress that he could only speak a few words at
a time, and those in a whisper.

'"I at once applied the necessary remedies. Copies of my prescriptions
(with translation into English) accompany the present statement, and
are left to speak for themselves.

'"For the next three days I was in constant attendance on my patient.
He answered to the remedies employed--improving slowly, but decidedly.
I could conscientiously assure Lady Montbarry that no danger was to be
apprehended thus far. She was indeed a most devoted wife. I vainly
endeavoured to induce her to accept the services of a competent nurse;
she would allow nobody to attend on her husband but herself. Night and
day this estim