He came very early, with his soft footstep, and entered the room before she was aware of his presence. His first look reassured her. "Here is a change indeed!" said he, cheerily, as he examined the patient. "You mean to do me credit yet, I see, my fair mistress." "Then she is really better!" said Winifred, hardly able to credit the words she had so earnestly desired to hear. "Of course! Cannot you see for yourself?" returned the doctor, roughly but kindly. "I do not say we are out of the woods yet, but with care and good nursing, I trust we shall do well." "I shall be sure to be well nursed while I have Winifred!" said Paulina, smiling. "See you do as she bids you, then. And look you, young lady, I will have no talking. I am Fine Ear the fairy, and can tell when my patients are misbehaving, though I were at the other end of the town; so do not think to deceive me!" "I will not," said Paulina, sadly smiling. "I have had enough of that!" "Yes, I should think so!" muttered the doctor. "Now, Mrs. Winifred, since that is your name, come with me that I may give you further directions." As they left the room, they met Ashwell, so near the door that it seemed as if she must have been listening. The old woman trembled visibly as the doctor's eye fell upon her, and seemed as if she would have shrunk out of sight, but he called her. "See here, Dame Ashwell! Do you sit by Mrs. Paulina awhile, and let our other nurse rest for a few minutes. Give her the wine and water every half hour, and do not let her talk.—I believe that old woman has a hand in this business!" he added, as they passed on down-stairs. "I saw her last night, as I came down the street, talking with Butler at the garden gate." "I cannot think so," said Winifred. "She is a zealous Protestant. She has talked sometimes of getting better advice for her young lady, for she is as much alarmed as my aunt at the fresh air and cold water. It might be that which took her to Doctor Butler." "Possibly. Well, Mrs. Evans, I have run the fox to earth at last, I do believe! I have heard the whole tale of Mrs. Paulina's church-goings." "And so have I," said Winifred. "Indeed! From whom?" "From the culprit herself." And Winifred repeated what had passed, adding: "I feared it was wrong to let her talk, but I saw that she would never rest while it was on her mind."