472 MAN OF SCIENCE. 



You won't object you won't throw any obstacle in the 

 way if it were only to relieve my mind ? ' He made 

 no answer, and remained silent for a considerable time. 

 At the moment he was, Mrs Miller thinks, displeased ; 

 but the shadow soon passed from his face, and during 

 the evening he was in his gentlest, kindest mood. 



Next morning Mrs Miller again met him at the top 

 of the stairs before breakfast, and was relieved to find 

 that he had passed a better night. Immediately after 

 breakfast he began to correct the last proofs of the 

 Testimony of the RocJcs. About midday he became 

 restless, and she feared that he might make some move- 

 ment which would prevent the consultation. The day 

 was bitterly cold, with drizzling rain. She made pre- 

 tences to be near him, watchful lest he should slip away 

 unnoticed. At last he proclaimed his intention of going 

 up to town to anticipate Professor Miller's visit. ' I 

 cannot bear/ he said, 'taking him down in this way. 

 You know his generosity, and he has so much to do 

 'Well, believe me/ replied Mrs Miller, 'there's not 

 much he has to do he would put in competition with 

 coming to see you when you need it. Just look at the 

 day. You know that if you go out, you will bring on 

 another inflammatory attack in your chest, and then I 

 shall have done more harm than good. Do stay now, 

 and let things go on, if you never do again.' ' Well/ 

 he answered, ' I will.' Mrs Miller was passing his 

 chair at the moment, and putting her hand into the 

 shaggy hair which he used to wear on the top of his 

 head, she gave it a slight tug, ' half a caress, half a play- 

 ful rebuke for his contumacy/ while she thanked him 

 for complying. ' Don't/ he said mildly, ' it hurts me/ 



The medical gentlemen arrived and the interview 

 commenced. 'We examined his chest/ such is Pro- 



