Dr.Grant, professing an indisposition, for which he had little credit with his fair sister-in-law, could not spare his wife.
"Dr.Grant is ill," said she, with mock solemnity.

"He has been ill ever since he did not eat any of the pheasant today.

He fancied it tough, sent away his plate, and has been suffering ever since".
Here was disappointment! Mrs.Grant's non-attendance was sad indeed.
Her pleasant manners and cheerful conformity made her always valuable amongst them; but _now_ she was absolutely necessary.

They could not act, they could not rehearse with any satisfaction without her.

The comfort of the whole evening was destroyed.