But as the doctors informed me that the chances of life or death were at this time almost equally balanced, I decided to wait until time should determine whether it was necessary to trouble you or not.'" "You know best, Julian," said Lady Janet.

"But I own I don't quite see in what way I am interested in this part of the story." "Just what I was going to say," added Horace.

"It is very sad, no doubt.
But what have _we_ to do with it ?" "Let me read my third extract," Julian answered, "and you will see." He turned to the third extract, and read as follows: "'At last I received a message from the hospital informing me that Mercy Merrick was out of danger, and that she was capable (though still very weak) of answering any questions which I might think it desirable to put to her.

On reaching the hospital, I was requested, rather to my surprise, to pay my first visit to the head physician in his private room.

"I think it right," said this gentleman, "to warn you, before you see the patient, to be very careful how you speak to her, and not to irritate her by showing any surprise or expressing any doubts if she talks to you in an extravagant manner.