was neither more nor less than ten grains of rhubarb, a quarter of a pound ginger, mixed with peppermint-water, signed Sam. Pother.

Sir Adolphus Wilde was at last left alone with Pother. He wished to have his opinion of the state he really conceived the Marquis to be in..

"Why," said Pother, in answer to his numerous queries, "I consider the case, as one that requires all my care and attention. It either is, or else it is not, inflammatory; it may be pleuretic, and it may be asthmatic; it may be the lungs, it may be the chest, it may be the liver, it may be the windpipe; but a few hours will probably decide the matter, and give it a more palpable decisive form."

"Is his intellect quite clear, so that he could arrange any of his temporal affairs ?" asked Sir Adolphus-a thought of the will, of Lady Maria's portion being increased, or something of the same kind having more than once crossed his thoughts.

"Impossible!" said Dr Pother; "quietness, both of body and mind, is essentially necessary.

-Who is that shutting that door, and walking so quick along that passage?" exclaimed he; and in his own croaking voice, talking loud, scolding, and lecturing upon the necessity of quietness, he entered the sick man's chamber.

CHAPTER XIII.

"Who can decide when doctors disagree ?"

DR SPLEEN HARRIS, who, for reasons best known to himself, had hitherto, as to his medical qualifications, kept in the back ground, now thought proper to differ entirely with Dr Pother, as to the nature of the Marquis's disorder; and when Dr Sanguine arrived, after seeing the patient, it was pretty evident that he leant towards Spleen's opinion. But according to the usual form and etiquette of the faculty, they adjourned to the next room to consult, and, if possible, to agree as to the name to be given to the Marquis's disorder.

"The extreme increase of irritation denotes the presence of Febris Catarrhalis," said Dr Pother, "and calls for a frequent and instantaneous use of the lancet.❞

"The feebleness of the beat denotes debility," said Sanguine," and demands caution and rest; and I apprehend the disorder to be entirely seated in the bag or stomach."

My opinion entirely coincides with Dr Sanguine's," said Spleen; "though perhaps the coat, or viscera of the liver, may in some measure be affected, and I would recommend a little sub. mur. mercur."

"Gentlemen, I must entirely differ from you both," said Pother; "and till I see reason for adopting your opinion, must firmly and decidedly maintain my own."

"In that case," said Spleen," since my worthy friend the Marquis of Vainall's life cannot be trifled with, we must just state the matter to the family, and leave them to choose whose advice they will follow."

The conference lasted some time longer, and very learned and skilful arguments were brought forward by both parties to induce each other to alter their erroneous opinions; but, as usual, they only brought forward replies to strengthen what had already been said.

"Look at that eye-Feel that pulse-Examine that tongue-and deny if you can that there is every symptom of febrility," said Dr Pother.

"Listen to that breathing-Hear that cough— Feel that skin-and deny that there is every symptom of debility," said Sanguine.

"And feel that side, and deny that there is a tendency to the liver," said Dr Spleen Harris.

"Well, gentlemen, instead of weakening our hands, and bringing a disgrace upon the faculty by our differences," said Pother, "had you not better, both of you, yield to my years and experience, and the thing remains amongst ourselves hushed and secret?"

"Impossible !" said Dr Spleen Harris. "Impossible!" said Dr Sanguine.

"You must be aware," said Dr Pother, "how unusual-nay, how imprudent-nay, how disrespectable it is for professional people to differ; let me entreat you, gentlemen, to take a common-sense view of the subject."

"I have a conscience and a head," said Sanguine with a grave look.

"And I have a head containing brains, and also a conscience," said Dr Spleen Harris, making his hand resound against his left side.

They adjourned to the parlour, and openly told their differences-and the result was, that an express was sent off to Edinburgh for Dr Doomdie, and the doctors sat down to make themselves as comfortable as possible, en attendant.

"This sad illness might all have been spared," said the Marchioness, in a warning voice, " had it not been for that fatal going to church at Dintherout."

“The theatre might have had some share in it,” said Sir Adolphus Wilde.

"Oh no! Impossible !" said the Marchioness; "the theatre was as comfortable as possibleneither too hot, nor too cold; churches are always in extremes.”

Lady Amelia was in great distress and apprehension when she heard the contending opinions of the Doctors.

“Did I believe,” said she, “ that my dear father's life was in the hands of men, his situation would certainly be dangerous indeed at present. Oh God, strengthen my faith! and in this uncertainty teach me to cast all my care upon thee. He that gave life can, and will maintain it according to his good pleasure, notwithstanding the debates and mistakes of erring physicians."

The Marchioness, under pretence of sparing her own too acute feelings, contrived to cast all the care of attending the Marquis upon Lady Amelia; and happy was the exchange for the Marquis, for she studied his every wish, and watched his every movement; and, though it was quite against her principles to disguise from him the doubtful opinions of the Doctors, yet she sweetened it all with the hope which filled her own mind: and if the Marquis ever prayed sincerely in his life, it was in the intervals of this illness, under the fear of