As Mrs. Derwent had failed to recognise him, the man could not have been her son, as I had for a moment feared. "By the way, Doctor, May is still bent on going to New York." "Well, perhaps it is advisable that she should do so." "But why?" "The quiet of the country does not seem to be doing her much good, does it? Let us, therefore, try the excitement of New York, and see what effect that will have. Besides, I am very anxious to have Miss Derwent see some great nerve specialist. I am still a very young practitioner, and I confess her case baffles me." "I see that you fear that she is insane!" cried Mrs. Derwent. "Indeed, I do not," I assured her, "but I think her nerves are very seriously out of order. If she goes on like this, she will soon be in a bad way. If you wish me to do so, I will find out what specialist I can most easily get hold of, and make arrangements for his seeing your daughter with as little delay as possible." "Thank you." My time was now almost up, so I asked to see my patient again, so as to assure myself that she was none the worse for her fright. I found her with her eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling, and, from time to time, her body would still twitch convulsively. However, she welcomed us with a smile, and her pulse was decidedly stronger. It was a terrible trial to me to see that lovely girl lying there, and to feel that, so far, I had been powerless to help her. I thought that, perhaps, if she talked of her recent adventure it would prevent her brooding over it. So, after sympathising with her in a general way, I asked what the tramp had said to terrify her so much. She shook her head feebly. "I could not make out what he was saying." I glanced upwards, and caught a look of horror on her mother's face. "Oh, indeed," I said; "it was just his sudden appearance which frightened you so much?" "Yes," she answered, wearily. "Oh, I wish I could go to New York," she sighed. "I have just persuaded your mother to spend a few days there." She glanced quickly from one to the other. "Really?" Mrs. Derwent nodded a tearful assent. "And when are we going?" she demanded. "To-morrow, if you are well enough." "Oh! thank you." "But what will you do with your guest?" "Mr. Norman? Oh, he will come, too;" but she had the grace to look apologetic. Once outside the room, Mrs. Derwent beckoned me into her _boudoir_. "Well, Doctor Fortescue," she exclaimed, "what do you think of that? May turns on a harmless beggar, who has done nothing to annoy her, and beats him! She is not at all ashamed of her behaviour, either." "I confess, Mrs. Derwent, I am surprised." "Oh, she must be crazy," wailed the poor lady. "No, madam--simply hysterical--I am sure of it. Still, this makes me more than ever wishful to have another opinion about her case." Before we parted, it had been decided that the choice of suitable rooms should be left to me.