Gaunt folded his arms and looked away. "Dymock," he said unwillingly, "one's doctor keeps one's secrets--eh?" Dymock raised his clear steady eyes and looked full at him. "I do," was all he said. "Well, I fear it is true, that she is under-fed and over-worked. It has been cruel. I had no idea myself. She looks so, somehow, so unlike that." "Yes, indeed. You mean that her over-exertion has been necessary?" "I do." "Well, I thought as much," replied Dymock, after a pause. "Some unscrupulous employer, I suppose. A good thing you rescued her. She is perfectly healthy and sound, but she won't be anything like robust for some time yet. I am forbidding solid food at present. She must have nourishment every two hours--eggs beaten up in milk, port wine, strong soup, Benger's food--things like that. In a few days her appetite will return. But meanwhile she must be left perfectly quiet, Gaunt--you understand?" "I understand perfectly. I give you my word for that." "It won't be for long," said Dymock consolingly. "She is young, and she will pick up fast in this good air; her convalescence will be twice as rapid if you are considerate. She is in a state of acute nervous tension, and must be soothed; kept happy and quiet." "Perhaps," said Gaunt, after a long pause, "it would be better if I do not see her at all, just at present. What do you think?" "It all depends. Does it excite her to see you?" "It might. Our marriage was sudden, you know. She hardly knows me." "I think it should depend upon what she would like. Might it not distress her that you should keep away?" "Perhaps." "In a few days," went on the doctor, "she ought to go out, if it can be managed without her putting her feet to the ground. You have no motor, have you?" "No." "See here, Gaunt--forgive me if this sounds like interference, but the fact of your never having had any ladies to the house--your well-known tastes, or distastes--make things a bit difficult for your wife. She is all alone--there's nobody to come and see her, or cheer her up. I am going to make a bold suggestion. Young Mrs. Ferris is simply bursting with hospitable intentions, and, though she is a bit of a rough diamond, she is one of the best. They have a motor, and she has nothing else to do. Let me send her round in a day or two to call upon Mrs. Gaunt?" Gaunt's brow lowered. "A woman with a voice like a fog-horn----" "No beauty, I grant you, but a real good sort, and your only near neighbour. Let her drive Mrs. Gaunt about, show her the Peak, take her shopping to Buxton, import some light literature from the circulating library--something to pass the time." "It may be that you are right," replied Gaunt after some hesitation. "I don't want visitors yet, but if Mrs. Ferris would understand that she is quite an exception----" "It would double her desire to be of use," laughed the doctor. "Well, good day. I'll send along a tonic, and I think I should like to see your wife again to-morrow."