"Wait," replied Maurice, in the same tone. "I shall not let him think that either of us is afraid of his charlatan tricks." Dr. Etwald approached, with what was meant for a smile on his usually sombre face, and took off his hat to Miss Dallas. But he did not speak as he made his salutation, so the girl was forced, by reason of this uncomfortable silence, to make the first observation. "Good-morning, doctor," she said, as he replaced his hat; "I suppose you have come to see my mother." "Partly, Miss Dallas, and partly to see you; also this gentleman." "To see me!" said Maurice, looking at his rival. "Then why did you not go to 'Ashantee?'" Etwald shrugged his shoulders. "I never give myself unnecessary trouble," he answered, calmly, "and, of course, I knew that I should find you here." "By what right do you say that?" demanded Maurice, sharply. "By the right of our conversation last night, Mr. Alymer. You have forestalled me, I see. No matter," added Etwald, with a sneer. "To-day to you; to-morrow to me." All this was quite unintelligible to Isabella, who looked from one to the other of her companions in bewilderment, not guessing for the moment that she was the bone of contention between them. She saw the suppressed mockery on Etwald's face, and noted also that Maurice, roused by the quiet insistence of the doctor, had much difficulty in keeping his temper. Knowing how her lover disliked Etwald, and fearing lest there should be a quarrel between the two men, she cut the Gordian knot by hastily proposing that they should go up to the house. At the same time she was afraid lest further trouble should occur therein, for it seemed to her that Etwald had paid this visit for the express purpose of making himself disagreeable. However, he did not say anything further at the moment, but walked beside Isabella toward The Wigwam. Behind them Maurice strolled slowly, fuming and fretting at the attitude assumed by Etwald by the side of Isabella. She cast a backward glance at his frowning face, and to avert possible trouble she began hastily to question the doctor about the strange conduct of Dido. "What was the matter with my nurse, doctor?" she asked. "What have you been doing to her?" "She was agitated, my dear young lady, and I have calmed that agitation." "After having previously caused it," said Maurice, in a significant tone. The doctor looked at the young man calmly. "What possible reason have you to make such an accusation?" he demanded. "I think it is my fault," said Isabella, hastily. "I remarked that Dido was always agitated when you came to this house." "I can explain that in a measure, Miss Dallas. If you remember I cured Dido of a bad nervous headache by hypnotic suggestion. Her mind, therefore, became habituated in responding to mine, and doubtless she feels a kind of impression which tells her that I am near." "In other words," said Maurice, pointedly, "you have obtained an influence over her."