\"NotofCurzonStreet?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andyouhavequarrelledwithher?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，butherhusbandisageneralpractitioner。\"
\"Sheisatraitress。\"
\"ButherhusbandcouldputagooddealofmoneyinChristopher\'sway。\"
\"Ican\'thelpit。Sheisatraitress。\"
\"Andyouhavequarrelledwithheraboutanoldwardrobe。\"
\"No，forherdisloyalty，andherbasegood-for-nothingness。Oh!
oh!oh!\"
UnclePhilipgotup，lookingsour。\"Goodafternoon，Mrs。
Christopher，\"saidhe，verydryly。
Christopheraccompaniedhimtothefootofthestairs。\"Well，Christopher，\"saidhe，\"matrimonyisablunderatthebest；andyouhavenotdonethethingbyhalves。Youhavemarriedasimpleton。
Shewillbeyourruin。\"
\"UnclePhilip，sinceyouonlycomeheretoinsultus，Ihopeinfutureyouwillstayathome。\"
\"Oh!withpleasure，sir。Good-by!\"
CHAPTERVII。
ChristopherStainescameback，lookingpainedanddisturbed。
\"There，\"saidhe，\"Ifeareditwouldcometothis。IhavequarrelledwithUnclePhilip。\"
\"Oh!howcouldyou?\"
\"Heaffrontedme。\"
\"Whatabout?\"
\"Neveryoumind。Don\'tletussayanythingmoreaboutit，darling。
Itisapity，asadpity——hewasagoodfriendofmineonce。\"
Hepaused，enteredwhathadpassedinhisdiary，andthensatdown，withagentleexpressionofsadnessonhismanlyfeatures。Rosahungabouthim，softandpitying，tillitclearedaway，atalleventsforthetime。
NextdaytheywenttogethertoclearthegoodsRosahadpurchased。
Whilstthelistwasbeingmadeoutintheoffice，incamethefair-
hairedboy，withaten-poundnoteinhisveryhand。Rosacaughtsightofit，andturnedtotheauctioneer，withasweet，pityingface:
\"Oh!sir，surelyyouwillnottakeallthatmoneyfromhim，poorchild，foraricketyoldchair。\"
Theauctioneerstaredwithamazementathersimplicity，andsaid，\"Whatwouldthevendorssaytome?\"
Shelookeddistressed，andsaid，\"Well，then，reallyweoughttoraiseasubscription，poorthing!\"
\"Why，ma\'am，\"saidtheauctioneer，\"heisn\'thurt:thearticlebelongedtohismotherandhersister；thebrother-in-lawisn\'tongoodterms；sohedemandedapublicsale。Shewillgetbackfourpuntenoutofit。\"Heretheclerkputinhisword。\"Andthere\'sfivepoundspaid，Iforgottotellyou。\"
\"Oh!leftadeposit，didhe?\"
\"No，sir。Butthelaughinghyenagaveyoufivepoundsattheendofthesale。\"
\"Thelaughinghyena，Mr。Jones?\"
\"Oh!begpardon；thatiswhatwecallhimintheroom。Hehasgotsuchacuriouslaugh。\"
\"Oh!Iknowthegent。Heisaretireddoctor。Iwishhe\'dlaughlessandbuymore:andHEgaveyoufivepoundstowardstheyounggentleman\'sarm-chair!Well，Ishouldassoonhaveexpectedbloodfromaflint。Youhavegotfivepoundstopay，sir:sonowthechairwillcostyourmammatenshillings。Givehimtheorderandthechange，Mr。Jones。\"
ChristopherandRosatalkedthisoverintheroomwhilstthemenwerelookingouttheirpurchases。\"Come，\"saidRosa；\"nowI
forgivehimsneeringatme；hisheartisnotreallyhard，yousee。\"
Staines，onthecontrary，wasveryangry。\"What!\"hecried，pityaboywhomadeonebadbargain，that，afterall，wasnotaverybadbargain；andhehadnokindness，norevencommonhumanity，formybeautifulRosa，inexperiencedasachild，andbuyingforherhusband，likeagood，affectionate，honestcreature，amongstalotofsharpersandhard-heartedcynics——likehimself。\"
\"ItWAScruelofhim，\"saidRosa，alteringhermindinamoment，andhalfinclinedtocry。
ThismadeChristopherfurious。\"Theill-natured，crotchety，old——
thefactis，heisamisogynist。\"
\"Oh，thewretch!\"saidRosawarmly。\"Andwhatisthat?\"
\"Awoman-hater。\"
\"Oh!isthatall?Why，sodoI——afterthatFlorenceCole。Womenaremean，heartlessthings。Givememen；theyareloyalandtrue。\"
\"Allofthem?\"inquiredChristopher，alittlesatirically。\"Readthepapers。\"
\"Everysoulofthem，\"saidMrs。Staines，passingloftilyovertheproposedtest。\"Thatis，alltheonesIcareabout；andthatismyown，ownone。\"
Disagreeablecreaturestohaveaboutone——thesesimpletons!
Mrs。StainestookChristophertoshopstobuytheremainingrequisites:andinthreedaysmorethehousewasfurnished，twofemaleservantsengaged，andthecoupletooktheirluggageovertotheBijou。
Rosawasexcitedandhappyatthenoveltyofpossessionandauthority，andthatclosesenseofhouseproprietorshipwhichbelongstowoman。Bydinner-timeshecouldhavetoldyouhowmanyshelvestherewereineverycupboard，andknewtheBijoubyheartinawaythatChristopherneverknewit。Allthisended，asrunningaboutandexcitementgenerallydoes，withmyladybeingexhausted，andlaxwithfatigue。Sothenhemadeherliedownonalittlecouch，whilehewentthroughhisaccounts。
Whenhehadexaminedallthebillscarefullyhelookedverygrave，andsaid，\"Whowouldbelievethis?Webeganwiththreethousandpounds。Itwastolastusseveralyears——tillIgotagoodpractice。Rosa，thereisonlyfourteenhundredandfortypoundsleft。\"
\"Oh，impossible!\"saidRosa。\"Oh，dear!whydidIeverenterasaleroom?\"
\"No，no，mydarling；youwerebittenonceortwice，butyoumadesomegoodbargainstoo。Remembertherewasfourhundredpoundssetapartformylifepolicy。\"
\"Whatawasteofmoney!\"
\"Yourfatherdidnotthinkso。Thenthelease；thepremium；
repairsofthedrainsthatwouldhavepoisonedmyRosa；turningthecoach-houseintoadispensary；painting，papering，andfurnishing；
china，andlinen，andeverythingtobuy。Wemustlookatthisseriously。Onlyfourteenhundredandfortypoundsleft。Aslowprofession。Nofriends。IhavequarrelledwithUnclePhilip:youwithMrs。Cole；andherhusbandwouldhavelaunchedme。\"
\"Anditwastopleaseherwesettledhere。Oh，Icouldkillher:
nastycat!\"
\"Nevermind；itisnotacasefordespondency，butitisforprudence。Allwehavetodoistolookthethingintheface，andbeveryeconomicalineverything。Ihadbettergiveyouanallowanceforhousekeeping；andIearnestlybegyoutobuythingsyourselfwhilstyouareapoorman\'swife，andpayreadymoneyforeverything。Mymotherwasagreatmanager，andshealwayssaid，\'Thereisbutoneway:beyourownmarket-woman，andpayonthespot；neverletthetradesmengetyouontheirbooks，or，whatwithfalseweight，doublecharges，andthethingsyourservantsorderthatneverenterthehouse，youlosemorethanahundredayearbycheating。\'\"
Rosayieldedalanguidassenttothispartofhisdiscourse，andithardlyseemedtoenterhermind；butsheraisednoobjection；andinduecoursehemadeheraspecialallowanceforhousekeeping。
Itsoontranspiredthatmedicaladvicewastobehad，gratis，attheBijou，fromeighttillten:andtherewasgenerallyagoodattendance。Butaweekpassed，andnotonepatientcameoftheclassthiscouplemustliveby。Christophersetthisdowntowhatpeoplecall\"thetransitionperiod:\"hisKentpatientshadlosthim；hisLondonpatientsnotfoundhim。Hewrotetoallhispatientsinthecountry，andmanyofhispupilsattheuniversity，toletthemknowwherehewassettled:andthenhewaited。
Notacreaturecame。
Rosaborethisverywellforatime，solongasthehousewasanovelty；butwhenthatexcitementwaswornout，shebegantobeverydull，andusedtocomeandenticehimouttowalkwithher:hewouldlookwistfullyather，butobjectthat，ifheleftthehouse，heshouldbesuretoloseapatient。
\"Oh，theywon\'tcomeanymoreforourstayingin——tiresomethings!\"
saidRosa。
ButChristopherwouldkissher，andremainfirm。\"Mylove，\"saidhe，\"youdonotrealizehowhardafightthereisbeforeus。Howshouldyou?Youareveryyoung。No，foryoursake，Imustnotthrowachanceaway。Writetoyourfemalefriends:thatwillwhileawayanhourortwo。\"
\"What，afterthatFlorenceCole?\"
\"Writetothosewhohavenotmadesuchviolentprofessions。\"
\"SoIwill，dear。EspeciallytothosethataremarriedandcometoLondon。Oh，andI\'llwritetothatcold-bloodedthing，LadyCicelyTreherne。Whydoyoushakeyourhead?\"
\"DidI?Iwasnotaware。Well，dear，ifladiesofrankweretocomehere，Ifeartheymightmakeyoudiscontentedwithyourlot。\"
\"Allthewomenonearthcouldnotdothat。However，thechancesareshewillnotcomenearme:shelefttheschoolquiteabiggirl，animmensegirl，whenIwasonlytwelve。Sheusedtosmileatmycapriccios；andonceshekissedme——actually。ShewasanawfulSawny，though，andsoaffected:IthinkIwillwritetoher。\"
Theselettersbroughtjustonelady，aMrs。Turner，whotalkedtoRosaverygliblyaboutherself，andamusedRosatwice:atthethirdvisit，Rosatriedtochangetheconversation。Mrs。Turnerinstantlygotup，andwentaway。Shecouldnotbearthesoundofthehumanvoice，unlessitwastalkingaboutherandheraffairs。
AndnowStainesbegantofeeldownrightuneasy。Incomewasgoingsteadilyout:notashillingcomingin。Thelame，theblind，andthesickfrequentedhisdispensary，andgothisskilloutofhimgratis，andsometimesalittlephysic，alittlewine，andotherthingsthatcosthimmoney:butofthepatientsthatpay，notonecametohisfrontdoor。
Hewalkedroundandroundhislittleyard，likeahyenainitscage，waiting，waiting，waiting:andoh!howheenviedthelotofthosewhocanhuntforwork，insteadofhavingtostayathomeandwaitforotherstocome，whosewilltheycannotinfluence。Hisheartbegantosickenwithhopedeferred，anddimforebodingsofthefuture；andhesaw，withgrief，thathiswifewasgettingdullerandduller，andthatherdaysdraggedmoreheavily，farthanhisown；forhecouldstudy。
Atlasthisknockerbegantoshowsignsoflife:hisvisitorswerephysicians。Hislectureson\"Diagnosis\"werewellknowntothem；
andoneafteranotherfoundhimout。Theywerepolite，kind，evenfriendly；buthereitended:thesegentlemen，ofcourse，didnotresigntheirpatientstohim；andtheinferiorclassofpractitionersavoidedhisdoorlikeapestilence。
Mrs。Staines，whohadalwayslivedforamusement，couldstrikeoutnofixedoccupation；hertimehunglikelead；thehousewassmall；
andinsmallhousesthefaultsofservantsrunagainstthemistress，andshecan\'thelpseeingthem，andalltheworseforher。Itiseasiertokeepthingscleaninthecountry，andRosahadahighstandard，whichhertwoservantscouldneverquiteattain。Thisannoyedher，andshebegantoscoldalittle。Theyansweredcivilly，butinotherrespectsremainedimperfectbeings；
theylaidouteveryshillingtheyearnedinfinery；and，this，Iamashamedtosay，irritatedMrs。Staines，whowaswearingoutherweddinggarments，andhadnoexcuseforbuying，andStaineshadbeggedhertobeeconomical。Themoretheydressed，themoreshescolded；theybegantoanswer。Shegavethecookwarning；theother，thoughnotongoodtermswiththecook，hadagushofespritdecorpsdirectly，andgaveMrs。Staineswarning。
Mrs。Stainestoldherhusbandallthis:hetookherpart，thoughwithoutopenlyinterfering；andtheyhadtwonewservants，notsogoodasthelast。
ThisworriedRosasadly；butitwasaflea-bitetothedeepernature，andmoreforecastingmindofherhusband，stilldoomedtopacethatmiserableyard，likeahyena，chafing，seeking，longingforthepatientthatnevercame。
Rosausedtolookoutofhisdressing-roomwindow，andseehimpacetheyard。Atfirst，tearsofpitystoodinhereyes。Byandbyshegotangrywiththeworld；andatlast，strangetosay，alittleirritatedwithhim。Itishardforaweakwomantokeepupallherrespectforthemanthatfails。
Oneday，afterwatchinghimalongtimeunseen，shegotexcited，putonhershawlandbonnet，andrandowntohim:shetookhimbythearm:\"Ifyouloveme，comeoutofthisprison，andwalkwithme；wearetoomiserable。Ishallbeyourfirstpatientifthisgoesonmuchlonger。\"Helookedather，sawshewasveryexcited，andhadbetterbehumored；sohekissedherandjustsaid，withamelancholysmile，\"Howpooraretheythathavenotpatience!\"Thenheputonhishat，andwalkedintheParkandKensingtonGardenswithher。Theseasonwasjustbeginning。Therewerecarriagesenough，andgayAmazonsenough，tomakepoorRosasighmorethanonce。
Christopherheardthesigh；andpressedherarm，andsaid，\"Courage，love，Ihopetoseeyouamongthemyet。\"
\"Thesoonerthebetter，\"saidshe，alittlehardly。
\"And，meantime，whichofthemallisasbeautifulasyou?\"
\"AllIknowis，theyaremoreattractive。Wholooksatme，walkingtamelyby?\"
Christophersaidnothing:butthesewordsseemedtoimplyathirstforadmiration，andmadehimalittleuneasy。
Byandbythewalkputtheswift-changingRosainspirits，andshebegantochatgayly，andhungprattlingandbeamingonherhusband\'sarm，whentheyenteredCurzonStreet。Here，however，occurredanincident，triflinginitself，butunpleasant。Dr。
StainessawoneofhisbestKentishpatientsgetfeeblyoutofhiscarriage，andcallonDr。Barr。Hestarted，andstopped。Rosaaskedwhatwasthematter。Hetoldher。Shesaid，\"WeARE
unfortunate。\"
Stainessaidnothing；heonlyquickenedhispace；buthewasgreatlydisturbed。Sheexpectedhimtocomplainthatshehaddraggedhimout，andlosthimthatfirstchance。Buthesaidnothing。Whentheygothome，heaskedtheservanthadanybodycalled。
\"No，Sir。\"
\"Surelyyouaremistaken，Jane。Agentlemaninacarriage!\"
\"Notacreaturehavebeensinceyouwentout，sir。\"
\"Well，then，dearest，\"saidhesweetly，\"wehavenothingtoreproachourselveswith。\"Thenheknithisbrowgloomily。\"ItisworsethanIthought。Itseemsevenone\'scountrypatientsgotoanotherdoctorwhentheyvisitLondon。Itishard。Itishard。\"
Rosaleanedherheadonhisshoulder，andcurledroundhim，asoneshewouldshieldagainsttheworld\'sinjustice；butshesaidnothing；shewasalittlefrightenedathiseyethatlowered，andhisnobleframethattrembledalittle，withiresuppressed。
Twodaysafterthis，abroughamdroveuptothedoor，andatallish，fattish，pasty-facedmangotout，andinquiredforDr。
Staines。
Hewasshownintothedining-room，andtoldJanehehadcometoconsultthedoctor。
Rosahadpeepedoverthestairs，allcuriosity；sheglidednoiselesslydown，andwithlove\'sswiftfootgotintotheyardbeforeJane。\"Heiscome!heiscome!Kissme。\"
Dr。Staineskissedherfirst，andthenaskedwhowascome。
\"Oh，nobodyofanyconsequence。ONLYthefirstpatient。Kissmeagain。\"
Dr。Staineskissedheragain，andthenwasforgoingtothefirstpatient。
\"No，\"saidshe；\"notyet。Imetadoctor\'swifeatDr。Mayne\'s，andshetoldmethings。Youmustalwayskeepthemwaiting；orelsetheythinknothingofyou。Suchafunnywoman!\'Treat\'emlikedogs，mydear，\'shesaid。ButItoldhertheywouldn\'tcometobetreatedlikedogsoranyotheranimal。\"
\"Youhadbetterhavekeptthattoyourself，Ithink。\"
\"Oh!ifyouaregoingtobedisagreeable，good-by。Youcangotoyourpatient，sir。Christie，dear，ifheisvery——veryill——andI\'msureIhopeheis——oh，howwickedIam；mayIhaveanewbonnet?\"
\"Ifyoureallywantone。\"
Onthepatient\'scardwas\"Mr。Pettigrew，47ManchesterSquare。\"
AssoonasStainesenteredtheroom，thefirstpatienttoldhimwhoandwhathewas，aretiredcivilianfromIndia；buthehadgotasontherestill，averyrisingman；wantedtobeaparson；buthewouldnotstandthat；badprofession；don\'trisebymerit；veryhardtoriseatall；——no，Indiawastheplace。\"Asforme，Imademyfortunethereintenyears。Obligedtoleaveitnow——invalidthismanyyears；noTONE。Triedtwoorthreedoctorsinthisneighborhood；heardtherewasanewone，hadwrittenabookonsomething。ThoughtIwouldtryHIM。\"
Tostophim，Stainesrequestedtofeelhispulse，andexaminehistongueandeye。
\"Youaresufferingfromindigestion，\"saidhe。\"Iwillwriteyouaprescription；butifyouwanttogetwell，youmustsimplifyyourdietverymuch。\"
Whilehewaswritingtheprescription，offwentthispatient\'stongue，andranthroughthetopicsofthedayandintohisfamilyhistoryagain。
Staineslistenedpolitely。Hecouldaffordit，havingonlythisone。
Atlast，thefirstpatient，havingdeliveredanoctavovolumeofnothing，rosetogo；butitseemsthatspeakingan\"infinitedealofnothing\"exhauststhebody，thoughitdoesnotaffectthemind；
forthefirstpatientsankdowninhischairagain。\"Ihaveexcitedmyselftoomuch——feelratherfaint。\"
Stainessawnosignsofcomingsyncope；herangthebellquietly，andorderedadecanterofsherrytobebrought；thefirstpatientfilledhimselfaglass；thenanother；andwentoff，revived，tochatterelsewhere。Butatthedoorhesaid，\"IhadalwaysarunningaccountwithDr。Mivar。Isupposeyoudon\'tobjecttothatsystem。Doublefeethefirstvisit，singleafterwards。\"
Dr。Stainesbowedalittlestiffly；hewouldhavepreferredthemoney。However，helookedattheBlueBook，andfoundhisvisitorlivedat47ManchesterSquare；sothatremovedhisanxiety。
Thefirstpatientcalledeveryotherday，chatterednineteentothedozen，wasexhausted，dranktwoglassesofsherry，anddroveaway。
Soonafterthisasecondpatientcalled。Thisonewasadeputypatient——Collett，aretiredbutler——keptalodging-house，andwaitedatparties；helivedcloseby，buthadamarrieddaughterinChelsea。Wouldthedoctorvisither，andHEwouldberesponsible?
Stainespaidthewomanavisitortwo，andtreatedhersoeffectually，thatsoonhervisitswerepaidtohim。Shewascured，andStaines，whobythistimewantedtoseemoney，senttoCollett。
Collettdidnotanswer。
Staineswrotewarmly。
Collettdeadsilent。
Stainesemployedasolicitor。
Collettsaidhehadrecommendedthepatient，thatwasall。Hehadneversaidhewouldpayherdebts。Thatwasherhusband\'sbusiness。
Nowherhusbandwasthemateofaship；wouldnotbeinEnglandforeighteenmonths。
Thewoman，visitedbylawyer\'sclerk，criedbitterly，andsaidsheandherchildrenhadscarcelyenoughtoeat。
LawyeradvisedStainestoabandonthecase，andpayhimtwopoundsfifteenshillingsexpenses。Hedidso。
\"Thisisdamnable，\"saidhe。\"ImustgetitoutofPettigrew；by-
the-by，hehasnotbeenherethistwodays。\"
HewaitedanotherdayforPettigrew，andthenwrotetohim。Noanswer。Called。Pettigrewgoneabroad。HouseinManchesterSquaretolet。
Staineswenttothehouse-agentwithhistale。Agentwasimpenetrableatfirst；but，atlast，wonbythedoctor\'smannerandhisunhappiness，referredhimtoPettigrew\'ssolicitor；thesolicitorwasarespectableman，andsaidhewouldforwardtheclaimtoPettigrewinParis。
ButbythistimePettigrewwaschatteringandguzzlinginBerlin；
andthencehegottoSt。Petersburg。Inthatstrongholdofgluttony，hegormandizedmorethanever，and，beingunabletotalkitoffhisstomach，asinothercities，hadapoplexy，anddied。
ButlongbeforethisStainessawhismoneywasasirrecoverableashissherry；andhesaidtoRosa，\"IwonderwhetherIshalleverlivetocursethehumanrace?\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"saidRosa。\"Oh，theyuseyoucruelly，mypoor，poorChristie!\"
Thusformonthstheyoungdoctor\'spatientsbledhim，andthatwasall。
AndRosagotmoreandmoremopedatbeinginthehousesomuch，andpesteredChristophertotakeherout，andhedeclined:and，beingamanhardtobeat，tooktowritingonmedicalsubjects，inhopesofgettingsomemoneyfromthevariousmedicalandscientificpublications；buthefounditashardtogetthewedgeinthereastogetpatients。
AtlastRosa\'sremonstrancesbegantoriseintosomethingthatsoundedlikereproaches。OneSundayshecametohiminherbonnet，andinterruptedhisstudies，tosayhemightaswelllaydownthepen，andtalk。Nobodywouldpublishanythinghewrote。
Christopherfrowned，butcontainedhimself，andlaiddownthepen。
\"Imightaswellnotbemarriedatallasbeadoctor\'swife。Youareneverseenoutwithme，noteventochurch。DobehavelikeaChristian，andcometochurchwithmenow。\"
Dr。Stainesshookhishead。
\"Why，Iwouldn\'tmisschurchforalltheworld。Anyexcitementisbetterthanalwaysmoping。Comeoverthewaterwithme。ThetimeJaneandIwent，theclergymanreadapaperthatMr。Brownhadfallendowninafit。Therewassucharushdirectly，andI\'msurefiftyladieswentout——fancy，allMrs。Browns!Wasn\'tthatfun?\"
\"Fun?Idon\'tseeit。Well，Rosa，yourmindisevidentlybetteradaptedtodiversionthanmineis。Goyoutochurch，love，andI\'llcontinuemystudies。\"
\"ThenallIcansayis，IwishIwasbackinmyfather\'shouse。
Husband!friend!companion!——Ihavenone。\"
Thensheburstoutcryingviolently；and，beingshockedatwhatshehadsaid，andattheagonyithadbroughtintoherhusband\'sface，shewentoffintohysterics；andashisheartwouldnotlethimbellowather，oremptyabucketonherashewouldonanotherpatient，shehadagoodlongboutofthem:andgotherway，forshebrokeuphisstudiesforthatday，atallevents。
Evenafterthehystericsweregotunder，shecontinuedtomoanandsighveryprettily，withherlovely，languidheadpillowedonherhusband\'sarm；inaword，thoughthehystericswerereal，yetthisinnocentyoungpersonhadthepresenceofmindtopostponeentireconvalescence，andlayherselfouttobepettedallday。Butfatewilleditotherwise:whileshewassighingandmoaning，cametothedoorascurryingoffeet，andthenasharp，persistentringingthatmeantsomething。Themoanercockedeyeandear，andsaid，inherevery-dayvoice，which，comingsosuddenly，soundedverydroll，\"Whatisthat，Iwonder?\"
Janehurriedtothestreet-door，andRosarecoveredbymagic；and，preferringgossiptohysterics，inanalmostgleefulwhisper，orderedChristophertoopenthedoorofthestudy。TheBijouwassosmallthatthefollowingdialoguerangintheirears:——
Aboyinbuttonsgaspedout，\"Oh，ifyouplease，willyouastthedoctortocomerounddirectly；there\'sahaccident。\"
\"La，blessme!\"saidJane，andneverbudged。
\"Yes，miss。It\'sourmissus\'slittlegirlfallenrightoffani-chair，andcutherheaddreadful，andsmotheredinblood。\"
\"La，tobesure!\"Andshewaitedsteadilyformore。
\"Ay，andmissusshefaintedrightoff；andI\'vebeentothereglerdoctor，whichhe\'sout；andSarah，thehousemaid，saidIhadbettercomehere；youwasonlyjustsetup，shesaid；youwouldn\'thavesomuchtodo，saysshe。\"
\"ThatisallSHEknows，\"saidJane。\"Why，ourmaster——theypullshiminpieceswhichistohavehimfust。\"
\"Whatanawfulliar!Oh，yougoodgirl!\"whisperedDr。StainesandRosainonebreath。
\"Ah，well，\"saidButtons，\"anyway，Sarahsayssheknowsyouareclever，\'cosherlittlegirlasliveswithhermother，andcallsSarahaunt，hasbintoyour\'spensarywithringworm，andyoucuredherrightoff。\"
\"Ay，andagoodmanymore，\"saidJane，loftily。Shewasahousemaidofimagination；andwhileStaineswasputtingsomelintandaninstrumentcaseintohispocket，sheproceededtorelateanumberofmiraculouscures。Dr。Stainesinterruptedthembysuddenlyemerging，andinvitingButtonstotakehimtothehouse。
Mrs。StaineswassopleasedwithJaneforcrackingupthedoctor，thatshegaveherfiveshillings；and，afterthat，usedtotalktoheragreatdealmorethantothecook，whichjudiciousconductpresentlysetallthreebytheears。
Buttonstookthedoctortoafinehouseinthesamestreet，andtoldhimhismistress\'snameontheway——Mrs。Lucas。Hewastakenuptothenursery，andfoundMrs。Lucasseated，cryingandlamenting，andawomanholdingalittlegirlofaboutseven，whosebrowhadbeencutopenbythefender，onwhichshehadfallenfromachair；itlookedveryugly，andwasevennowbleeding。
Dr。Staineslostnotime；heexaminedthewoundkeenly，andthensaidkindlytoMrs。Lucas，\"Iamhappytotellyouitisnotserious。\"Hethenaskedforalargebasinandsometepidwater，andbatheditsosoftlyandsoothinglythatthechildsoonbecamecomposed；andthemotherdiscoveredtheartistatonce。Hecompressedthewound，andexplainedtoMrs。Lucasthattheprincipalthingreallywastoavoidanuglyscar。\"Thereisnodanger，\"saidhe。Hethenboundthewoundneatlyup，andhadthegirlputtobed。\"Youwillnotwakeheratanyparticularhour，nurse。Lethersleep。Havealittlestrongbeef-teaready，andgiveitheratanyhour，nightorday，sheasksforit。Butdonotforceitonher，oryouwilldohermoreharmthangood。Shehadbettersleepbeforesheeats。\"
Mrs。Lucasbeggedhimtocomeeverymorning；and，ashewasgoing，sheshookhandswithhim，andthesoftpalmdepositedahardsubstancewrappedinpaper。Hetookitwithprofessionalgravityandseemingunconsciousness；but，onceoutsidethehouse，wenthomeonwings。Heranuptothedrawing-room，andfoundhiswifeseated，andplayingatreading。Hethrewhimselfonhisknees，andthefeeintoherlap；and，whilesheunfoldedthepaperwithanejaculationofpleasure，hesaid，\"Darling，thefirstrealpatient——
thefirstrealfee。Itisyourstobuythenewbonnet。\"
\"Oh，I\'msoglad!\"saidshe，withhereyesglistening。\"ButI\'mafraidonecan\'tgetabonnetfittowear——foraguinea。\"
Dr。Stainesvisitedhislittlepatienteveryday，andreceivedhisguinea。Mrs。Lucasalsocalledhiminforherownlittleailments，andtheywerethebestpossiblekindofailments:for，beingimaginary，therewasnolimittothem。
ThendidMrs。Stainesturnjealousofherhusband。\"Theyneveraskme，\"saidshe；\"andIammopedtodeath。\"
\"Itishard，\"saidChristopher，sadly。\"Buthavealittlepatience。Societywillcometoyoulongbeforepracticecomestome。\"
Abouttwoo\'clockoneafternoonacarriageandpairdroveup，andagorgeousfootmandeliveredacard——\"LadyCicelyTreherne。\"
OfcourseMrs。Staineswasathome，andonlywithheldbyproprietyfromboundingintothepassagetomeetherschool-fellow。However，shecomposedherselfinthedrawing-room，andpresentlythedoorwasopened，andaverytallyoungwoman，richlybutnotgaylydressed，driftedintotheroom，andstoodthereastatueofcomposure。
Rosahadrisentoflytoher；butthereverenceagirlofeighteenstrikesintoachildoftwelvehungaboutherstill，andshecametimidlyforward，blushingandsparkling，acuriouscontrastincolorandmindtohervisitor；forLadyCicelywasLanguorinperson——herhairwhitey-brown，herfaceafineoval，butalmostcolorless；hereyesapalegray，herneckandhandsincomparablywhiteandbeautiful——alymphaticyounglady，aliveantidotetoemotion。However，Rosa\'sbeauty，timidity，andundisguisedaffectionatenessweresomethingsodifferentfromwhatshewasusedtointheworldoffashion，thatsheactuallysmiled，andheldoutbothherhandsalittleway。Rosaseizedthem，andpressedthem；
