The
head physician, feeling a sense of responsibility, had sent for
me. It was impossible to detain her on the ground that she was
not fit to be trusted by herself at large, in consequence of the
difference of opinion among the doctors on the case. All that
could be done was to give me due notice, and to leave the matter
in my hands. On seeing her for the second time, I found her
sullen and reserved. She openly attributed my inability to find
the nurse to want of zeal for her interests on my part. I had, on
my side, no authority whatever to detain her. I could only
inquire whether she had money enough to pay her traveling
expenses. Her reply informed me that the chaplain of the hospital
had mentioned her forlorn situation in the town, and that the
English residents had subscribed a small sum of money to enable
her to return to her own country. Satisfied on this head, I asked
next if she had friends to go to in England. "I have one friend,"
she answered, "who is a host in herself--Lady Janet Roy." You may
imagine my surprise when I heard this. I found it quite useless
to make any further inquiries as to how she came to know your
aunt, whether your aunt expected her, and so on.
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