1855 MISS HEATHORN'S HEALTH 185 



and many years of unbroken happiness to atone for 

 their long parting. 



But the reality alarmed him. He took her to one 

 of the most famous doctors of the day, as if merely a 

 patient he was interested in. Then as one member of 

 the profession to another, he asked him privately his 

 opinion of the case. " I give her six months of life," 

 said JEsculapius. " Well, six months or not," replied 

 Huxley, " she is going to be my wife." The doctor 

 was mightily put out. " You ought to have told me 

 that before." Of course, the evasive answer in such 

 a contingency was precisely what Huxley wished to 

 avoid. Happily another leading doctor held a much 

 more favourable opinion, and said that with care her 

 strength would come back, slowly but surely. 



14 WAVERLEY PLACE, Wednesday. 



MY DEAR HOOKER My wife and I met again on 

 Sunday last, and I have established herself, her father and 

 mother, close by me here at 8 Titchfield Terrace, Regent's 

 Park, and whenever you and Mrs. Hooker are in this part 

 of the world, and can find time to call there, you will find 

 her anything but surprised to see you. 



God help me ! I discover that I am as bad as any 

 young fool who knows no better, and if the necessity for 

 giving six lectures a week did not sternly interfere, I 

 should be hanging about her ladyship's apron-strings all 

 day. She is in very bad health, poor child, and 1 have 

 some reason to be anxious, but I have every hope she will 

 mend with care. 



Oh this life ! " atra cura," as old Thackeray has it, 

 sits on all our backs and mingles with all our happiness. 



