While he was acutely confident that she would not oppose his solitary attendance, there still struggled in his soul the hope that she might, for the sake of appearances at least, insist on calling in other physicians.

It was a hope that he dared not encourage, however.

Fate had settled the matter.

It was ordained that he should stand where he now stood in this unhappy hour.
He recalled his grandfather's declaration that she still loved him.

The thought turned him sick with loathing, for he believed in his heart that it was true.