“I want you to come at once, if possible, and see a young lady who, I fear, is dangerously ill. She has not been in Brighton long. She is quite alone. She sent for me. I live at Southwick. I came out at once. I have known her a long time. I may say she is a great friend of mine. I found her very ill--I must say her condition seems to me alarming. I should like her to see a doctor at once. Can you come at once?” “I am just finishing dinner. I will come in about ten minutes' time. What is the address?” “20 Preston Street.--I hope he does not think there is anything wrong,” thought Frank. “He look's as if he did,” and with a view of removing suspicion, he said: “She is a young lady whom I have known for some years. We had lost sight of each other until we travelled down in the train together. I say this because I do not wish you to think there is anything wrong.” “My good sir, I should not allow myself to have any opinions on the matter. I am summoned to attend a patient, and I give the best advice in my power.” “Yes, but one can't help forming opinions--a beautiful young girl living alone in lodgings, and having apparently for sole protector a young man, are circumstances that might be easily misconstrued, and as I am engaged to be married, I think it right to tell you exactly how I stand in relation to this young woman.” The doctor bowed. “Do you not think I did well in making this explanation?” “It can do no harm; we medical men see so much that we take no notice of anything but our patient. But tell me something of this young lady's suffering. Can you describe the symptoms?” “She has a racking headache--she is shivering all over--she sits by the fire and cannot get warm. It looks to me as if it were fever.” “Does she complain of her throat?” “Yes; she cannot swallow.” “Probably an attack of quinsy.” “Is that dangerous?” “No; but it is infectious.” “I don't mind about that--she is alone. I will see her through it.” “I will go round to Preston Street immediately I have finished dinner--in about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.” When the doctor had seen Lizzie, he said to Frank, who accompanied him downstairs: “Just as I expected--quinsy. She will take from eight to ten days to get well. We have taken it in time, that's one good thing. The throat is very bad. She must have a linseed poultice, and she must use the gargle. Is there any one in the house who can attend to her?” “I am afraid not; the landlady went away this morning, leaving no one in the house but that child. She will, I hope, be home to-morrow.” “In that case you had better have a nurse in; I will give you the address of one.”