"She is a very pretty girl," I replied.
"Oh, yes, yes I don't mean her appearance. If you were asked about her—her health, mental and physical, what would you say?"
"Nothing; for I know nothing."
"I always thought doctors could see farther than most men," answered Oliver, almost with irritation. "I tell you what it is Frances, to all intents and purposes, is a dead woman, a statue cut in marble. She can move, she can speak, she can look lovely, she can eat a little, not much—but she can no more love, she can no more feel than if she were really the marble I have likened her to. We have been engaged for six months; I have been away for over four. When I parted with her last she was Rosamond grown up. Think of Rosamond with her fire, her overflowing spirits, her vivacity. Is Frances like Rosamond now?"
"No," I said. "I have noticed the two sisters and observed the great contrast between them. The little one has a great deal of colour and her eyes are bright. Miss Wilton is deadly pale, and pretty as her eyes are, their expression is dull."
"They usen't to have a dull expression," said Oliver. "Six months ago they had plenty of sparkle and life in them, and her cheeks were just like roses. But," continued the poor fellow, "it is not the physical change that cuts me to the heart, it's the—the absence of all life; all—all affection; all interest in me and everything else. We are to be married in two months' time; Frances has not the least idea of breaking off our engagement. There's not a scrap of the flirt about her; but I might as well make a bride of a doll, or a bit of marble, for all the real interest she takes."
"Was she excitable and affectionate when first you were engaged?" I inquired.
"Yes—yes—rather!" He coloured as he spoke.
"Did you ever ask her if she felt ill?"
"Often. She says that she is in perfect health; but, oh! the apathy in her eyes! Sometimes, Dr. Halifax, I am inclined to fear that her mind is deranged."
"I don't think there is the least occasion for you to alarm yourself on that score," I said. "Do you think Miss Wilton will see me as a medical man?"
"I am sure she won't. Nothing makes her so much annoyed as the faintest hint that she is not in perfect health."
"She cannot maintain the position that she is in perfect health when she sends you off in a hurry for a certain medicine to the chemist. Look here, Captain Oliver, I'll take it upon myself to see her as soon as ever I go home. You may trust me to respect your confidence, and if there is anything really wrong, I think I can soon discover it."
I had scarcely said these last words before the sound of hurrying feet caused us both to look up. Little Rosamond Wilton had come up the road to meet us.
"I came for the medicine," she panted. "Give it to me, Jim."
"Unfortunately, I haven't got it," said Oliver.
"Not got it? What will poor Frances do?"
"I am ever so sorry, but it is her own fault. She forgot to send the prescription."
"No, she didn't forget; she hadn't got the prescription. Collins has it. Oh, what an awful worry this is! What a stupid, stupid chemist! Frances wrote to him, and told him exactly what she wanted. He might have sent the medicine to her. Poor darling, she is nearly wild with misery now; and what will she do if there is any further delay? What a cruel chemist!"
"No, Rosamond, he is not cruel," I said. "The law forbids chemists to give certain drugs without proper prescriptions. The chemist could not have acted otherwise."
"Then Frances will die!" exclaimed the child, stamping her little foot on the ground, and tears filling her bright brown eyes. "Frances will die. She can't go on suffering like this, it is quite impossible. You don't know. You can't guess. It is dreadful!"
"I can soon put your sister right," I said, in a confident tone. "Take me to her immediately."
"You are a doctor, aren't you?" she inquired.
"Yes; the right person to see your sister if she is suffering."
"But she won't have any doctor except Collins."
"Who is Collins?"
"A nurse. She was with Frances once when she was ill. And now she always sends for her if she feels the least bit of anything the matter with her."
"Well," I said, after a pause, "we are wasting time. Your sister is in pain. Collins is not here, and I am. Take me to her immediately."
"Yes, Rosamond, do as you are told," said Oliver.
"She'll be angry; but I can't help it," murmured the child under her breath.
