Snell bowed a lofty assent; for, to receive a hint from a layman was
to confer a favor on him.
The men of science were closeted full half an hour with the patient. She
was too beautiful to be slurred over, even by a busy doctor: he felt her
pulse, looked at her tongue, and listened attentively to her lungs, to
her heart, and to the organ suspected by Wyman. He left her at last with
a kindly assurance that the case was perfectly curable.
At the door they were met by the anxious father, who came with throbbing
heart, and asked the doctors' verdict.
He was coolly informed that could not be given until the consultation
had taken place; the result of that consultation would be conveyed to
him.
"And pray, why can't I be present at the consultation? The grounds on
which two able men agree or disagree must be well worth listening to."
"No doubt," said Dr. Snell; "but," with a superior smile, "my dear sir,
it is not the etiquette."
"Oh, very well," said Lusignan. But he muttered, "So, then, a father is
nobody!"
And this unreasonable person retired to his study, miserable, and gave
up the dining-room to the consultation.
They soon rejoined him.
Dr. Snell's opinion was communicated by Wyman.
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