She is ready for anything we may decide upon as best." He stopped and turned partly away to hide his feelings.

But recovering himself, and forcing a smile to his lips, he said: "To your professional eyes I show unmanly weakness.

But you must bear in mind how very dear she is to me.

It makes me shiver in every nerve to think of the knife going down into her tender flesh.

You might cut me to pieces, doctor, if that would save her." "Your fears exaggerate everything," returned Doctor Hillhouse, in an assuring voice.