’I can only tell you what is our opinion,’ the young Doctor said, speaking for himself and his brother practitioner. ’We should be as pleased as you could be to have Dr. Macartney here; but the delay—well, the delay might prove dangerous. Her temperature is 107—you know what that means?’ ’But this rolling up in a wet sheet—there is a risk, isn’t there?’ the elder man said; and how keenly he was watching the expression of the young Doctor’s face! ’I have only seen it used in extreme cases,’ was the answer. ’If she were my own daughter, or sister, that is what I would do.’ ’You have a right to speak—you have already saved her life once,’ her father said. ’If we could only bring about a profuse perspiration,’ the young Doctor said, a little more eagerly—for he had been maintaining a professionally dispassionate manner; ’and then if that should end in a long deep sleep—everything would go well then. But at present every hour that passes is against us—and her temperature showing no sign of abating.’ ’Very well,’ her father said, after a moment’s involuntary hesitation. ’If you say the decision rests with me, I will decide. We will not wait for Macartney. Do what you propose to do—I know you think it is for the best.’ And so it proved. Not once, but twice, within a space of seven days, had this young Doctor saved Carry Hodson’s life. That evening they were all seated at dinner in the big dining-hall—Mrs. Lalor and her sister, Jack Huysen, and Carry’s father—though the food before them did not seem to concern them much. They were talking amongst themselves, but rather absently and disconnectedly; and, what was strange enough, they spoke in rather low tones, as if that were of any avail. Dr. Tilley came in, and walked quickly up to the table; and quite unwittingly he put his hand on Emma Kerfoot’s shoulder. ’I have good news,’ said he, and there was a kind of subdued triumph in his eyes. ’She is sleeping as soundly—as soundly as any human being ever slept—everything has come off well—why, I am as happy as if I had been declared President!’ But instantly he perceived that this exuberance of triumph was not in accordance with professional gravity. ’I think there is every reason to be satisfied with the prospect,’ he continued in more measured tones, ’and now that Dr. Sargent is with her, and the night nurse just come down, I think I will take the opportunity to get something to eat—for I have forgotten about that since breakfast.’ ’Oh, Tom!’ cried Miss Kerfoot reproachfully; and presently everybody at the table was showering attentions on this young man. ’And may I go in and see her now?’ said Miss Kerfoot, preparing to steal away.