"He assumed, then, that they were affected to a grave extent?" she hastily repeated, her heart beating faster. "I thought you said you knew all about it, Mrs. Halliburton?" "So I do. He may possibly not have told me the very worst said by Dr. Carrington; but he told me quite sufficient. Mr. Allen, _you_ tell me--do you think that there is a chance of his recovery?" "Most certainly I do," warmly replied the surgeon. "Every chance, Mrs. Halliburton. I see no reason whatever why he should not keep as well as he is now, and live for years, provided he takes care of himself. It appears that Dr. Carrington very strongly urged his removing into the country; he went so far as to say that it was his only chance for life--and in that I think he went too far again. But the country would undoubtedly do for him what London will not." "You think that he ought to remove to the country?" she inquired, showing no sign of the terror those incautious words brought her--"his only chance for life." "I do. If it be possible for him to manage his affairs so as to get away, I should say let him do so by all means." "It _must_ be done, you know, Mr. Allen, if it is essential." "In my judgment it should be done. Many and many a time I have said to him myself, 'It's a pity but that you could be out of this heavy London!' Fogs affect him, and smoke affects him--the air altogether affects him: and I only wonder it has not told upon him before. As Dr. Carrington observed to him, there are some constitutions which somehow will not thrive here." Mrs. Halliburton rose with a sigh. "I am glad you do not think so very seriously of him," she breathed. "I do not think _seriously_ of him at all," was the surgeon's answer. "I confess that he is not strong, and that he must have care. The pure air of the country, and relaxation from some of his most pressing work, may do wonders for him. If I might advise, I should say, Let no pecuniary considerations keep him here. And that is very disinterested advice, Mrs. Halliburton," concluded the doctor, laughing, "for, in losing you, I should lose both friends and patients." Jane went out. Those ominous words were still ringing in her ears--"his only chance for life." Forcing herself to self-control, she did _not_ go to meet Mr. Halliburton. She returned home and took off her things, and gave what attention she could to Jane's lessons. But none can tell the suspense that was agitating her: the ever-restless glances she cast to the window, to see him pass. By-and-by she went and stood there. At last she saw him coming along in the distance. She would have liked to fly to meet him--to say, What is the news? but she did not. More patience, and then, when he came in at the front door, she left the room she was in, and went with him into the drawing-room, her face white as death. He saw how agitated she was, strive as she would for calmness. He stood looking at her with a smile.