Evening came, and Lady Oswald's house was prepared for what was going to take place. Dr. Davenal arrived rather before the time appointed, Mr. Cray five minutes after it. Mr. Cray was in a heat, and had evidently come at much speed, conscious probably that the time had expired. Lady Oswald was in her bedchamber when Mr. Cray came up, Dr. Davenal in the ante-chamber. "Where's Wild?" exclaimed Mr. Cray, throwing his eyes round the room. "I have not seen him," replied the doctor. "It is very inattentive of him not to be here. I told him the hour. Have you seen her?" added Mr. Cray, in a whisper. "Yes. She is all right. Are you ready?" "No, I am not ready," replied Mr. Cray. "Wild is bringing up the dressings." "I have everything with me," said Dr. Davenal "I have brought all." In the room with Lady Oswald was her maid Parkins. And the very moment that Dr. Davenal set his eyes on Parkins's ashy pale face, he knew that she would be better out of the room than in it. He said something to the effect, but Lady Oswald evidently wished for her, and Parkins avowed her intention of being as brave as need be. Time was being wasted. Marcus Cray, in a fidgety sort of manner, went down twice after his expected pupil. He opened the hall-door and stood there looking out for him; and he did this twice over, for no sooner did he get upstairs the first time than he went back again. Dr. Davenal could not exactly make him out. Mr. Wild was not required in anyway; and a half-doubt stole over Dr. Davenal whether Mark Cray could be wilfully prolonging the minutes, as people will put off things they do not care to enter upon, from nervousness, dislike, or other causes. And though he threw the doubt from him as an absurd improbability, he began to wish again to be the operator. "Cray, I had better take this." Mark fired up, and spoke out at the top of his voice. He would prefer to take it himself, Dr. Davenal permitting him. Spoke out so loud that he was heard by Lady Oswald. She interrupted the discussion--if discussion it might be called--and settled it. "It should be only done by Mr. Cray." "Very well," said Dr. Davenal in a low tone to his partner. "Be it so. But why do you wait, Mark?" "I want that fellow to be here." "He is not required. We shall have Lady Oswald get exhausted." And Mark Cray, seeing the wisdom of the plea, made no further delay. You will not wish to be present at this operation, or to have it details transcribed. Hallingham did not know them for many a long day. But one or two things must be mentioned. At the very instant of its commencement, when Mark Cray was bending over Lady Oswald, there came something falling forward to the ground and brushed against him. It was brave Parkins, gone down in a fainting-fit Lady Oswald became agitated; she shrieked out, and would have risen had it been in her power. Dr. Davenal moved round, and bore the senseless Parkins from the room.