"With pleasure, if I can," I replied.
"Well, I wish you would come into the shop and speak to this stupid chemist. He refuses to give me the medicine which Miss Wilton has written for. He says he cannot supply it without a prescription, and that I must go back and get one. Frances evidently wants it very badly, and will be vexed at this delay. As you are a doctor, perhaps you can manage the matter."
I entered the shop immediately, and went up to the chemist. He was holding Miss Wilton's open letter in his hand.
"This gentleman is a doctor," said Oliver. "He'll make it all right. You had better let me have the medicine at once, as I know the lady wants it."
"Perhaps the doctor will write a prescription," said the chemist.
"I cannot do so, unless I know what is required," I said. "What medicine has Miss Wilton written for?"
"Are you her medical attendant, sir?"
"No."
"Then please pardon me, I am not permitted to tell you. This note is confidential."
"He tore it into several pieces."
As he spoke he tore it into several pieces, and flung the fragments beneath the counter.
"I am sorry to disoblige," he said, "but the contents of Miss Wilton's note are strictly private. If you, sir, as a doctor will see the lady, I have no doubt everything will be put right."
"You did well not to betray a confidence," I said, briefly, to the man, and then I hurried Oliver out of the shop.
All his good humour and high spirits had left him. He showed more disturbance than I thought the occasion warranted.
"Don't be distressed," I said to him, soothingly. "If Miss Wilton will allow me, I'll see her as soon as ever we get back to Holmwood, and will supply her with a proper prescription for anything she may require. There is nothing to alarm yourself about in the chemist refusing to supply a certain medicine without a prescription. A chemist lays himself open to a large penalty if he does so. Miss Wilton is probably suffering from toothache, and has sent for chloroform or something of that nature."
"Oh, it is not this alone," answered the poor fellow. "It's this and a hundred other things added on to it."
Here he paused and gave me a quick glance of interrogation. After a moment he said, with a certain reluctance:—
"Onslow says that you are awfully good-natured, Dr. Halifax."
"I should be a brute if I took up the medical profession and were not good-natured to people in trouble," I replied.
"Well, that's just what I am I'm in an awful state of perplexity. Onslow laughs at me; but, then, he's not a doctor. I'm convinced this is a case for a medical man. May I state it to you?"
"I shall be delighted to give you any advice in my power," I replied.
"It isn't about myself. It's about Frances. You know, of course, that we are engaged to be married? You have seen her—I think you sat next her last evening at dinner. Do you mind giving me your candid opinion about her?"
