"I know the reason," said George, with half a sigh. "Do you think that this dreadful disease under which Miss Derinzy suffers is progressing or decreasing?" "I am scarcely in a position to say," said the Doctor. "Were she in London, or in any place easy of access, I should be better able to judge; but now I only visit her periodically, and even that by no means regularly, merely when I have a day or two which I can steal, so that I cannot judge of the increase or decrease, or of the extent of delirium. However, the last time I was there--yes, the last time--I happened to be present when one of the attacks supervened, and it was very strong, very strong indeed." There was another pause, and then the Doctor said lightly: "I think I may put you into the 'box' now, George, and ask you a few questions. You saw a great deal of Miss Derinzy, you say?" "Yes; we were together every day." "And you deduced your opinion of her mental state from your observation of her?" "Not entirely." "Of course you got no hint from any of the family, not even from Captain Derinzy himself, who is sufficiently stupid and garrulous?" said the Doctor, with a recollection of his last visit to Beachborough, and the familiarity under which he had writhed. "No, from none of them; and certainly not from Miss Derinzy's manner, which, though unusually artless and childlike, decidedly bore no trace of insanity." "But, my dear boy, you must have had your suspicions, or you would not have asked me the questions so plainly. How did these suspicions arise?" "From Annette's description of her illness--of her symptoms at the time of attack, the blank which fell upon her, and her sensations on her recovery; from the mere fact of Mrs. Stothard's presence there--itself sufficient evidence to any one accustomed to persons of Mrs. Stothard's class--and from words and hints which Mrs. Stothard--whether with or without intention, I have never yet been able to determine--occasionally let drop; from other facts which accidentally came to my knowledge, but of which I think you are ignorant, and which I think it is not important that you should know." "For a superficial observer you have made a remarkable diagnosis of the case, George," said the Doctor, regarding his son with calm appreciation; "it is a thousand pities you did not take to the profession." "Thank God, I didn't," said the son; "even as it is I have seen enough of it--or, at least, I should have said 'Thank God' two months ago; now, I almost wish I had." "You would like to have taken up this case?" "I should." "You would like to have cured your friend's cousin?" "I should indeed."