Motioning her to the furthest corner of the room, I there, as is my habit, when the friends of the patient seem capable of listening and comprehending, gave her my opinion about the course of treatment I intended to adopt, and my reasons for the same. In this case, of all others, I wished not to leave the relatives in the dark, lest they might afterwards blame me for doing nothing; when, in truth, to do nothing was the only chance. I told her my belief that it would be safest to maintain perfect silence and repose, and leave benignant Nature to work in her own mysterious way--Nature, whom the longer one lives, the more one trusts in as the only true physician. “Therefore,” I said, “will you understand that however little I do, I am acting as I believe to be best? Will you trust me?” She looked up searchingly, and then said, “Yes.” After a few moments she asked me how long I could stay? if I were obliged to return to the camp immediately? I told her “No; I did not intend to return till morning.” “Ah, that is well! Shall I order a room to be prepared for you?” “Thank you, but I prefer sitting up.” “You are very kind. You will be a great comfort.” I, “a great comfort!” I--“kind.” My thoughts must needs return into their right channel. I believe the next thing she said was something about my going to see “Penelope:” at least I found myself with my hand on the door, all but touching hers, as she was showing me how to open it. “There: the second room to the left. Shall I go with you? No! I will stay here then, till you return.” So, after she had closed the door, I remained alone in the dim passage for a few moments. It was well. No man can be his own master at all times. Miss Johnston was a good deal more hurt than she had confessed. As she lay on the bed, still in her gay dress, with artificial flowers in her hair--her face, pallid and drawn with pain, looked almost like that of an old woman. She seemed annoyed at my coming--she dislikes me, I know: but anxiety about her father, and her own suffering, kept her aversion within bounds. She listened to my medical report from the next room, and submitted to my orders concerning herself, until she learnt that at least a week's confinement, to rest her foot, would be necessary. Then she rebelled. “That is impossible. I must be up and about. There is nobody to do anything but me.” “Your sister?” “Lisabel is married. Oh, you meant Dora?--We never expect any useful thing from Dora.” This speech did not surprise me. It merely confirmed a good deal which I had already noticed in this family. Also, it might in degree be true. I think, so far from being blind to them, I see clearer than most people every fault she has. Neither contradicting nor arguing, I repeated to Miss Johnston the imperative necessity for her attending to my' orders: adding that I had known more than one case of a person being made a cripple for life by neglecting such an injury as hers.