It
is absolutely necessary he should be delivered from the passion."
"If I am to undertake the case, it must be after my own judgment,"
said the doctor.
"You must undertake two things, or give up the case," persisted
Donal.
"I may as well hear what they are."
"One is, that you make his final deliverance from the habit your
object; the other, that you will give no medicine into his own
hands."
"I agree to both; but all will depend on his nurse."
"I will be his nurse."
The doctor went to see his patient. The earl gave one glance at him,
recognized firmness, and said not a word. But when he would have
applied to his wrist an instrument recording in curves the motions
of the pulse, he would not consent. He would have no liberties taken
with him, he said.
"My lord, it is but to inquire into the action of your heart," said
Mr. Avory.
"I'll have no spying into my heart! It acts just like other
people's!"
The doctor put his instrument aside, and laid his finger on the
pulse instead: his business was to help, not to conquer, he said to
himself: if he might not do what he would, he would do what he
could.
While he was with the earl, Donal found lady Arctura, and told her
all he had done. She thanked him for understanding her.
CHAPTER LXXIX.
A SLOW TRANSITION.
A dreary time followed. Sometimes the patient would lie awake half
the night, howling with misery, and accusing Donal of heartless
cruelty.
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