“That’s splendid, Barbara! Do go at once. It is so queer that the only person who is allowed freely to see the dear little fellow is Dick. Dr. Tarbot does not mind Dick being with him, nor does the nurse, and Dick calls every day. He will be here soon. It is the greatest possible comfort to me to have the dear fellow about the house. He is almost like a son of my own. You know, dear, how much I have always loved him. Oh, and you are engaged to him, Barbara. Yes, I know; the report has reached me. He will be a husband in a thousand. I am glad you are going to be happy with him some day. Yes, when Dick comes he will sit with Piers, but he does not often come until late, and if you could be with the darling until Dick arrives I should not be nearly so anxious.” “Well, hope for the best now, dear Mrs. Pelham. I will go off at once to see Dr. Tarbot.” Barbara ran down-stairs. Ashley Mansions was within a stone’s throw of Harley Street. In less than five minutes she was standing on the steps of Dr. Tarbot’s house, and the door was immediately opened in answer to her ring. She asked if Dr. Tarbot was in. “Yes, Miss,” replied the footman. “I want to see him immediately.” The man invited her in. “What name?” he asked. “Say that Miss Evershed has called. Say also that my business is of an urgent nature.” The man showed Barbara into the dining-room and withdrew. A moment later Tarbot entered the room. He came forward eagerly, his thin lips twitching, his eyes full of subdued light. “To what am I indebted for this pleasure?” he began. Barbara interrupted him. “I want to ask you a great favor, Dr. Tarbot.” “What is it?” “I wish to sit up with little Piers to-night.” On hearing these words the expression on Tarbot’s face altered. “Are you mad?” he asked, looking full at the girl. “No; I am sane.” “Do you know anything whatever of nursing?” “I don’t want to nurse—there is a professional nurse to do that. I want to stay with the child, to hold his hand, to be with him. It is unkind to leave him with strangers.” “Miss Evershed,” said Tarbot suddenly, “I would do much for you, you know that.” The look in the doctor’s eyes became eager, and Barbara shrank towards the door. “I would do much for you,” he continued, “but where my professional duties are concerned I have no choice. I would rather that the nurse had the entire care of Piers.” “Oh, I cannot see any reason for this,” said Barbara, clasping her hands. “Besides,” she added eagerly, “you allow Dick Pelham to be with him.” “Pelham is different. He has been with the boy from the first. It would be unkind to turn him out of the room, but your face would be a fresh one. The child’s condition is most serious. Any extra excitement might stop the heart which is so dangerously affected.”