"I don't quite see, sir," observed the doctor.
"I give him up, sir; you need not be afraid to tell me."
"You are right, perhaps, to give him up; but I always say exactly what I think. Doctor--a--_Pratt_ and I--we tell you frankly--we think him in a very critical state; but it's quite on the cards he may recover; and we have given very full directions to the nurse, who appears to be a very intelligent person; and don't let him shift his attitude unnecessarily, it may prejudice him, and be in fact attended with danger--very _serious_ danger; and Doctor Pratt shall look in at five o'clock--you were so good as to say, Doctor Pratt, you would look in at five. Doctor Pratt will look in _then_, and do anything that may be necessary; and if there should be the slightest symptom of hæmorrhage send for him instantly, and the nurse knows what to do; and I think--I think I have said everything now."
"Hæmorrhage, sir! But _what_ hæmorrhage? Why, what hæmorrhage is apprehended?" asked Dives, amazed.
"Internal or external it may occur," said the doctor; and Pratt, coughing and shaking his chops, interposed hurriedly and said--
"Yes, there may be a bleeding, it may come to that."
"He has bled a great deal already, you are aware," resumed the Slowton doctor, "and in his exhausted state a return of that might of course be very bad."
"But I don't understand," persisted Dives. "I beg pardon, but I really must. What _is_ this hæmorrhage? it is not connected with gout, is it?"
"Gout, sir! no; who said gout? A bad wound, that seems to run toward the lung," answered the Slowton man.
"Wound! how's this? I did not hear," and Dives looked frightened, and inquiringly on Pratt, who said--
"Not hear, didn't you? Why, Sir Jekyl undertook to tell you, and would not let me. He took me in for a while, poor fellow, quite, and said 'twas gout, that's all. I'm surprised he did not tell you."
"No--_no_--not a word; and--and you think, sir, it may begin bleeding afresh?"
"That's what we chiefly apprehend. Farewell, sir. I find I have not a moment. I must be at Todmore in three quarters of an hour. A sad case that at Todmore; only a question of a few days, I'm afraid; and a very fine young fellow."
"Yes," said Dives--"I--I--it takes me by surprise. Pray, Dr. Pratt, don't go for a moment," and he placed his hand on his arm.