were ordered her, but whatever good they might have produced was discounted by the constant nip-drinking she kept up during the afternoon. The next day she was very ill indeed, and Mrs. White, greatly alarmed, insisted on sending for Dr. Hooper. He did not seem astonished at the change in his patient. Calmly and quietly he watched for some moments in silence. The bed had curtains of a red and antiquated material, and these contrasted with the paleness of the sheets wherein Kate lay, tossing feverishly. Most of the 'make-up' had been rubbed away from her face; and through patches of red and white the yellow skin started like blisters. She was slightly delirious, and when the doctor took her hand to feel her pulse she gazed at him with her big staring eyes and spoke volubly and excitedly. 'Oh! I'm so glad you've come, for I wanted to speak to you about my husband. I think I told you that he'd gone to Manchester to produce a new piece. I don't know if I led you to suppose that he'd deserted me, but if I did I was wrong to do so, for he has done nothing of the kind. It's true that we aren't very happy together, but I dare say that is my fault. I never was, I know, as good a wife to him as I intended to be; but then, he made me jealous and sometimes I was mad. Yes, I think I must have been mad to have spoken to him in the way I did. Anyhow, it doesn't matter now, does it, doctor? But I don't know what I'm saying. Still, you won't mention that I've told you anything. It's as likely as not that he'll forgive me, just as he did before; and we may yet be as happy as we were at Blackpool. You won't tell him, will you, doctor?' 'No, no, I won't,' said Dr. Hooper, quietly and firmly. 'But you mustn't talk as much as you do; if you want to see your husband, you must get well first.' 'Oh yes! I must get well; but tell me, doctor, how long will that take?' 'Not very long, if you will keep quiet and do what I tell you. I want you to tell me how the pain in your side is?' 'Very bad; far worse than when I saw you last. I feel it now in my right shoulder as well.' 'But your side--is it sore when you touch it? Will you let me feel?' Without waiting for a reply, he passed his hand under the sheet. 'Is it there that it pains you?' 'Yes, yes. Oh! You're hurting me.' Then the doctor walked aside with the landlady, who had been watching the examination of the patient with anxious eyes. She said: 'Do you think it's anything very dangerous? Is it contagious? Had I better send her to the hospital?' 'No, I should scarcely think it worth while doing that; she will be well in a week, that is to say if she is properly looked after. She's suffering from acute congestion of the liver, brought on by--' 'By drink,' said Mrs. White. 'I suspected as much.'