He whisperingly asked how his patient had been, as he went down on one knee by the mattress, made a short examination, and turned to Claude, who, with parted lips, was watching him anxiously. "You think him worse?" she whispered. "Indeed I do not," he said quickly. "Nothing could be better. He will sleep heavily for a long time." "But did you notice his heavy breathing?" "Of course I did," said the doctor rising, "and you have no cause for alarm. Ah, Miss Mary, I did not see you at first." "Don't deceive me, Doctor Asher," said Claude, in agonised tones; "tell me the worst." "There is no worse to tell you, my dear child. I dare say your father will be well enough to sit up to-morrow." "Thank heaven!" said Claude to herself. Then, turning to the doctor: "How is poor Isaac Woodham?" "Don't ask me." "How dreadful!" "Yes; it was a terrible accident." "But is there no hope?" "You asked me not to deceive you," said the doctor gravely. "None at all." Just then the sick man moaned slightly in his sleep, and made an uneasy movement which took his daughter back to his side. "Don't be alarmed, my child," said the doctor encouragingly; "there is nothing to fear." "But I am alarmed," said Claude; "and I look forward with horror to the long night when I am alone with him." "You are going to sit up with him?" "Of course." "Divide the night with your cousin." "Yes--but--" "Well--what is it?" "Oh, Doctor Asher, don't leave him. Pray, pray, stay here." "But I have to go and see that poor fellow twice during the night." "I had forgotten him," sighed Claude. "Couldn't you stop here, and go and see him in the night?" "Well, I might do that," said the doctor thoughtfully; "but really, my child, there is no necessity." "If you could stop, Doctor Asher," interposed Mary, "it would be a great relief to poor Claude, who is nervous and hysterical about my uncle's state." "Very well," was the cheerful reply. "I'll tell you what; I'll sit with you till about nine, and then go and see poor Woodham. Then I'll come back and stay up with Mr Gartram till about three, when you shall be called to relieve me." "But I shall not go to bed," said Claude decidedly. "I am your medical man, and I prescribe rest," said the doctor, smiling. "I don't want any more patients at present. You and your cousin will go and lie down early, and then come and relieve me, so that I can go and see poor Woodham again. After that I shall return here, and you can let me have a sofa ready, to be called if wanted. There, I am the doctor, and a doctor rules in a sick house." "Must I do as you say?" asked Claude pleadingly. "Yes; you must," he replied; and so matters were settled. Doctor Asher walked down to the quarry cottage to see his patient there, and did what he could to alleviate the poor fellow's pain, always avoiding the inquiring look in the wife's eyes, and then he returned to the Fort. "How is he now?" asked Claude anxiously.