She was unquestionably a handsome person--with the one serious drawback of her ghastly complexion, and with the less noticeable defect of a total want of tenderness in the expression of her eyes.

Apart from his first emotion of surprise, the feeling she produced in the Doctor may be described as an overpowering feeling of professional curiosity.

The case might prove to be something entirely new in his professional experience.

'It looks like it,' he thought; 'and it's worth waiting for.' She perceived that she had produced a strong impression of some kind upon him, and dropped her hold on his arm.
'You have comforted many miserable women in your time,' she said.
'Comfort one more, to-day.' Without waiting to be answered, she led the way back into the room.
The Doctor followed her, and closed the door.

He placed her in the patients' chair, opposite the windows.