While the good woman was speaking she kept her eyes fixed upon the cup into which she was slowly pouring the medicine, and therefore she did not perceive the effect produced upon the patient by the mention of Smatterton; for, as soon as he heard the name he started, turned pale, and was breathless and speechless for a moment; and then recovering the use of his speech, he exclaimed, “Smatterton! Smatterton! Good woman, are you in your senses? What do you mean?” Now it was very well for Mr Primrose and his composing draught that the wife of the gate-keeper was not nervous; for had she been nervous, that sudden and almost ridiculous exclamation, uttered as it was, in a very high key, and with a very loud voice, would certainly have upset the cup together with its contents. If ever a composing draught was necessary, it clearly was so on this occasion. The good woman however did not let the cup fall, but with the utmost composure looked at the patient and said: “Lawk-a-mercy, sir, don’t be in such a taking. I durst to say the poor cretter wasn’t nobody as you know. She was a kind of a poor young lady like. There now, sir, pray do take your physic, ’cause you’ll never get well if you don’t.” Mr Primrose was still in great agitation, and that more from imagination than apprehension. His nervous sensibility had been excited, and everything that at all touched his feelings did most deeply move him. He therefore answered the poor woman in a hurried manner: “Come, come, good woman, I will swallow the medicine, if you will have the goodness to tell me all you know about this poor young lady.” Now, as it was very little that the good woman did know, she thought it might be for the patient’s advantage if he would take the medicine even upon those terms. For she had so much respect for the skill of the doctor, that it was her firm opinion that the draught would have more power in composing, than her slender narrative in disturbing, the gentleman’s mind. She very calmly then handed the cup and said: “Well, sir, then if you will but take the physic, I will tell you all I know about the matter.” Mr Primrose complied with the condition, and took the medicine with so much eagerness, that he seemed as if he were about to swallow cup and all. “There, sir,” said the good woman, mightily pleased at her own management; “now I hope you will soon get better.” “Well, now I have taken my medicine; so tell me all you know about this young lady.”