"I shall bring him the best possible nurse," Mr. Strafford said. "Mrs.
Costello wishes to come and remain here."

The doctor looked at him curiously.

"Mrs. Costello is my patient also," he said; "I am half inclined to
forbid her coming."

"She is your patient, doctor! How is that? I thought she was looking
ill, though she denies it."

"She is not ill; but as you are an old friend and adviser, I don't mind
telling you that her health is in a critical state, and that I have
forbidden her all excitement and fatigue." 'Much use,' he added to
himself, in a parenthesis.

Mr. Strafford looked troubled.

"She must come here, nevertheless," he said. "Even if it were possible
to keep her away, it would do no good. She would excite herself still
more."

"Mr. Strafford," said the doctor, "If I thought that Mrs. Costello was
coming here out of mere charity, I should tell her that charity begins
at home, and that she had more reason to think of herself and her
daughter than of any prisoner in the world. However, I _don't_ think it;
and, therefore, all I have to say is, if you have any regard for her or
for Miss Costello, don't let her do more than is absolutely necessary.
Good morning."