King of the Castle Part 42

"No; he will neglect it, and then take a double dose to make up for it, and that will not do. Regularity, and keeping himself under the influence of the drug, is what we want."

"I will attend to it myself," said Claude.

"And when you are going to be away, let Mrs Woodham administer it.

Perhaps it would be better to leave it entirely to her."

"Oh, no; I would rather keep it under my own eye. You will come in again soon?"

"I begin to be ashamed of coming so often," said the doctor, smiling, "and ask myself whether my treatment is right."

"Oh, I have perfect faith in that," said Claude, "and so has my father."

"Thank you," he said smiling.

"Now, please, tell me, Doctor Asher, the simple truth."

"Why, of course."

"You smile, and you say that out of mere politeness, and to make me comfortable. I want to know the truth."

"Now, my dear child--"

"But I am not a child, Doctor Asher. Once a child to you is to be always a child. Can you not see that I am a grown woman, full of a woman's trouble's?"

"I beg your pardon, Miss Gartram. You shall not complain again."

"Then tell me without any disguise--is my father's life in danger?"

"Rest a.s.sured that it is not."

"Thank heaven!"

"But I must tell you this--I can do nothing to arrest these fits--"

"These terrible fits!" sighed Claude.

"--Without I have his co-operation, for so much depends upon his living a quiet, peaceful life, without throwing himself into these violent fits of temper. You force me to speak plainly, but, of course, it is between us. If he knew that I said what I do, it would have a bad effect upon him, and send him into another pa.s.sion."

"But what can I do?" said Claude her eyes filling with tears.

"Use your woman's wit. I can give you no better counsel. You must be the cooling oil to stop the friction when you see it arising; and, above all, never thwart him in anything upon which he has set his mind."

A great sob struggled for exit in Claude's breast as she heard the doctor's words, which were more full of meaning to her than he realised, and she glanced round, to see that her cousin was watching her closely.

"I will do my best," she said.

"That's well," said Asher, giving his white hands a soft rub together as he smiled from one to the other. "'What can't be cured must be endured,' young ladies; but I do not say that this cannot be cured. We will do our best, but the patient must be made to help. Does he take his medicine regularly?"

Claude shook her head.

"I thought not. Flies to it, I suppose, when he feels bad, and neglects it at other times."

"But that other medicine, doctor--the chloral which he takes--is it good for him?"

Asher shook his head.

"Then why do you let him have it?"

"My dear young lady, is not that rather unreasonable? Now, look here; supposing I were to say, 'Mr Gartram, chloral is ruining your system,'

what would he reply?"

Claude shook her head.

"I appeal to you, Miss Dillon; what do you think your uncle would say?"

"Go to the devil!" said Mary quietly.

"Mary!"

"Well, he would, Claudie, and you know it."

"Miss Dillon is quite right," said the doctor, rubbing his hands.

"Strong but truthful; chloral he will have, and if he keeps to it as I prescribe--in moderation--it will not do him much harm, but tend to calm him. There, I'll look in again. He is going on as well as can be."

"Shall we go and sit with him?"

"N-no; I hardly think it necessary. You can do no good. I have given Sarah Woodham the fullest instructions, and I'll come in again this evening."

The doctor left, and as soon as he was gone, Mary Dillon shook her head.

"Poor Claudie!" she whispered. "Mustn't thwart uncle in any of his wishes. And it means so much, doesn't it?"

"Master would like to see you, Miss Claude," said Sarah Woodham, coming to the door.

"Not worse, Sarah?"

"No, miss; better, I think."

Claude followed her into the pa.s.sage on her way to her father's room, but the woman arrested her.

"Miss Claude, may I say a word to you?"

"Yes, certainly. What is it?"

"I've been thinking this all over, my dear, and after giving it a fair trial, I want you to let me go again."

"Now, Sarah--"