danger?" asked Mrs. Beaufort, with an anxious and troubled
countenance, as the physician, after prescribing among other things
a stimulating application to the throat externally, was about
leaving the house.

"Is your daughter subject to these fits of hoarseness, ma'am?" he
asked.

"Yes, sir, whenever she takes cold."

"And does that frequent irritating cough always attend the
recurrence of hoarseness?"

"Always."

"Then, madam, it is but right that you should know, that such
results, following a slight cold, indicate a very great tendency to
pulmonary or bronchial affections. The predisposition existing, very
great care should be taken to prevent all exciting causes. With
care, your daughter may retain her health until she passes over the
most critical portion in the life of every one with such a
constitution as hers--that is, from twenty years of age until thirty
or thirty-five. Without great care and prudence during that time,
her constitution may be shattered so as to set all remedial efforts
at defiance."

"But, doctor, how is she now?" was Mrs. Beaufort's anxious inquiry.

"Not dangerous, madam, but still in a condition requiring care and
skill to prevent unfavourable consequences."