my patient may not be quite unknown to your ladyship; for in happening to mention, the other day, to the lady who attends to and nurses him, that I could not call this morning, as I had a visit to pay to Lady Montfort at Twickenham, she became very anxious about you, and wrote this note which she begged me to give you. She seems very much attached to my patient—not his wife nor his sister. She interests me:—capital nurse—cleverish woman too. Oh! here is the note."
Caroline, who had given but little heed to this recital, listlessly received the note—scarcely looked at the address—and was about to put it aside, when the good doctor, who was intent upon rousing her by any means, said, "No, my dear lady, I promised that I would see you read the note; besides, I am the most curious of men, and dying to know a little more who and what is the writer."
Caroline broke the seal and read as follows:
"If Lady Montfort remembers Arabella Fossett, and will call at Clare Cottage, Vale of Health, Hampstead, at her ladyship's earliest leisure, and ask for Mrs. Crane, some information, not perhaps important to Lady Montfort, but very important to Mr. Darrell, will be given."
Lady Montfort startled the doctor by the alertness with which she sprang to her feet and rang the bell.
"What is it?" asked he.
"The carriage immediately," cried Lady Montfort as the servant entered.
"Ah! you are going to see the poor lady, Mrs. Crane, eh? Well, it is a charming drive, and just what I should have recommended. Any exertion will do you good. Allow me;—why your pulse is already fifty per cent. better. Pray, what relation is Mrs. Crane to my patient?"
"I really don't know; pray excuse me, my dear Dr. F"
"Certainly; go while the day is fine. Wrap up;—a close carriage, mind;—and I will look in to-morrow."
CHAPTER X.
Wherein is insinuated the highest compliment to Woman ever paid to her sex by the Author of this work.
Lady Montfort has arrived at Clare Cottage. She is shown by Bridgett Greggs into a small room upon the first floor; folding-doors to some other room, closely shut—evidences of sick-
