第105章

"The eminent physician whom I had called in to superintend the treatment behaved admirably.Though he has risen from the lower order of the people, he has, strange to say, the instincts of a gentleman.He thoroughly understood our trying position, and felt all the importance of preventing such a person as Mercy Merrick from seizing the opportunity of intruding herself at the bedside.A soothing prescription (I have his own authority for saying it)was all that was required to meet the patient's case.The local doctor, on the other hand, a young man (and evidently a red-hot radical), proved to be obstinate, and, considering his position, insolent as well.'I have nothing to do with the lady's character, and with your opinion of it,' he said to me.'I have only, to the best of my judgment, to point out to you the likeliest means of saving the patient's life.Our art is at the end of its resources.Send for Mercy Merrick, no matter who she is or what she is.There is just a chance--especially if she proves to be a sensible person and a good nurse--that he may astonish you all by recognizing her.In that case only, his recovery is probable.If you persist in disregarding his entreaties, if you let the delirium go on for four-and-twenty hours more, he is a dead man.'

"Lady Janet was, most unluckily, present when this impudent opinion was delivered at the bedside.

"Need I tell you the sequel? Called upon to choose between the course indicated by a physician who is making his five thousand a year, and who is certain of the next medical baronetcy, and the advice volunteered by an obscure general practitioner at the East End of London, who is not making his five hundred a year--need I stop to inform you of her ladyship's decision?

You know her; and you will only too well understand that her next proceeding was to pay a third visit to the Refuge.

"Two hours later--I give you my word of honor I am not exaggerating--Mercy Merrick was established at Julian's bedside.

"The excuse, of course, was that it was her duty not to let any private scruples of her own stand in the way, when a medical authority had declared that she might save the patient's life.You will not be surprised to hear that I withdrew from the scene.The physician followed my example--after having written his soothing prescription, and having been grossly insulted by the local practitioner's refusing to make use of it.I went back in the doctor's carriage.He spoke most feelingly and properly.Without giving any positive opinion, I could see that he had abandoned all hope of Julian's recovery.'We are in the hands of Providence, Mr.Holmcroft;' those were his last words as he set me down at my mother's door.

"I have hardly the heart to go on.If I studied my own wishes, I should feel inclined to stop here.

"Let me, at least, hasten to the end.In two or three days' time I received my first intelligence of the patient and his nurse.Lady Janet informed me that he had recognized her.When I heard this I felt prepared for what was to come.The next report announced that he was gaining strength, and the next that he was out of danger.Upon this Lady Janet returned to Mablethorpe House.I called there a week ago--and heard that he had been removed to the sea-side.I called yesterday--and received the latest information from her ladyship's own lips.My pen almost refuses to write it.Mercy Merrick has consented to marry him!

"An outrage on Society--that is how my mother and my sisters view it;that is how you will view it too.My mother has herself the better few among the sex.I feel that my mother and my sisters are doubly precious to me now.May I add, on the side of consolation, that I prize with hardly inferior gratitude the privilege of corresponding with you?

"Farewell for the present.I am too rudely shaken in my most cherished convictions, I am too depressed and disheartened, to write more.All good wishes go with you, dear Miss Roseberry, until we meet.

"Most truly yours, HORACE HOLMCROFT." IV.

Extracts from the DIARY of THE REVEREND JULIAN GRAY.FIRST EXTRACT.

...."A month to-day since we were married! I have only one thing to say: I would cheerfully go through all that I have suffered to live this one month over again.I never knew what happiness was until now.And better still, I have persuaded Mercy that it is all her doing.I have scattered her misgivings to the winds; she is obliged to submit to evidence, and to own that she can make the happiness of my life.

"We go back to London to-morrow.She regrets leaving the tranquil retirement of this remote sea-side place--she dreads change.I care nothing for it.

It is all one to me where I go, so long as my wife is with me." SECOND EXTRACT.

"The first cloud has risen.I entered the room unexpectedly just now, and found her in tears.