"As I must be," replied Bergan, "if, as is likely, I am to spend the remainder of my life at the South. Thank you for your friendly warning, but I think I must stay." Doctor Remy shrugged his shoulders, and said no more. He had merely tried the first and simplest expedient which occurred to him, for removing Bergan from the neighborhood. He was not surprised nor troubled that it had failed. He had expected as much. But there were other and surer means to his end, he believed, at his command. However, he was not obliged to resort to them. Early next morning Bergan came into his office, with an open letter in his hand, and a most anxious face. "Read that," said he, huskily, "and tell me if there is any hope." Doctor Remy obeyed, reading the letter not once only, but twice, and looking long and meditatively at the signature. Then he lifted his eyes to Bergan's face. "Plenty of hope, in my opinion," said he; "I do not attach as much importance as this Doctor Trubie does to your mother's fancy that she is going to die. It only argues a depressed state of mind, corresponding to a low state of body. Nevertheless, it is well to do whatever can be done to raise her spirits; and I suspect that your presence at her bedside will avail much to that end. Of course, you set out at once?" "Certainly. Can you tell me at what hour the next train leaves Savalla?" Doctor Remy glanced at his watch. "In an hour and a half. That gives you ample time;--fifteen minutes to throw a few things into a portmanteau, and tell me what I can do for you while you are away; five minutes for _adieux_, and an hour and ten minutes to reach Savalla, in the saddle, with a swift horse." "If I can find one at such short notice," said Bergan, doubtfully. Doctor Remy pulled a bell-wire, and Scipio's black head appeared as instantaneously as if he had been attached to the other end of it. "Saddle the roan, and take him round to the front gate," said Doctor Remy. "Mr. Arling will ride him to Savalla, You will go after him, by the stage, this afternoon. Quick now!" The head ducked, and disappeared. "How can I thank you!" exclaimed Bergan, wringing the doctor's hand. "By attending to the portmanteau business at once. I will come with you; we can talk while you work. I want to ask something about this Doctor Trubie. Does he keep up with the times,--in medicine, that is?" "I don't know--I believe so." "H'm; there have been some recent discoveries of great value in the treatment of typhoids, when they run long and low, as they are apt to do. Suppose I write down a few suggestions, which, if there is grave need, you can commend to Doctor Trubie's favorable consideration. Otherwise, don't interfere." Bergan tried once more to express his gratitude, as the folded paper was put in his hand; but Doctor Remy cut him short.