"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；