Without saying a word I beckoned the Doctor aside, and made a sign that I wished to speak with him privately. He invited me to step into his carriage, and we drove in perfect silence to his residence in Beaver Hall Terrace. Alighting, he preceded me to his surgery, and closed the door; then, with a look full of meaning, he said: “Well, what is there wrong here?” “I said, Before I reply, will you permit me to ask you one or two questions.” “Who called you to attend Mrs. Quintin?” “A carter came and requested me to come with all speed to attend a lady in Cadieux street. I went as quickly as possible, but the child was born before my arrival.” “Who, then, attended the lady?” “The nurse did, and apparently very satisfactorily indeed. I found the bandages so well arranged, and the patient’s pulse so strong and regular, that I left, perfectly satisfied that all was properly attended to till your arrival. They explained to me that the lady was your patient, but that being unexpectedly taken ill, she had ordered the carter to bring the first doctor he found at home.” “Was Mr. Quintin at home?” “No; he is gone to England to purchase some goods.” “Ah! That accounts for it then.” “Accounts for what? Really you must not catechize me any further. What is there underneath all these questions?” I drew my chair closer to him, as I said tragically: “Mrs. Quintin _never had a child_.” “This rather staggered the good old doctor, who had just come from the house, where he had examined and weighed the infant. He started up from his chair, and, drawing back, exclaimed: “What do you mean? Explain yourself.” I then at length narrated all I knew concerning the Quintin family, and, as I proceeded with my story, the old man’s eyes opened wider and wider as he exclaimed: “My God what a diabolical plot”! “Yes, indeed, and I was invited to join in it.” “Well, well. _I_ certainly would never have suspected anything of the kind.” “Nor would anyone. The thing was well arranged, and artfully carried out.” “I suppose they will send for _you_ now.” “Not at all. That is only a sham to get rid of your attendance. The husband will be given to understand that you were hurriedly called in, and that, my assistance being unneeded, they did not think it worth-while troubling me.” After consulting with Dr. P. for a considerable time and putting the case in different lights, we came to the conclusion that it would be as well now to let matters take their course. Any interference on our part would only have raised a great public scandal, and rendered both Mr. and Mrs. Quintin miserable, without benefiting anyone, so we allowed the poor man to believe that his prayers were answered, and that the beautiful girl he fondled was really his own.