"
This seemed rather like giving the learned physician his cue. And there
were those among Dr. Doddleson's professional rivals who said that the
worthy doctor was never slow to take a cue so given, not being prejudiced
by any opinions of his own.
Charlotte had by this time been established in her easy-chair by the open
window of the sitting-room, and here Dr. Doddleson saw her, in the
presence of Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon; and here Dr. Doddleson went through the
usual Abracadabra of his art, and assented to the opinions advanced, with
all deference, by Mr. Sheldon.
To Georgy this interview, in which Mr. Sheldon's opinions were pompously
echoed by the West-end physician, proved even more comforting than the
benignant career of the Dissenting minister, who was wont to allude to
that solemn passing hence of which the ancients spoke in dim suggestive
phrase, as "going upstairs."
Diana and Valentine strolled in the garden while the physician saw his
patient. Dr. Doddleson's ponderous polysyllables floated out upon the
summer air like the droning of a humble-bee. It was a relief to Valentine
to know that the doctor was with his patient: but he had no intention to
let that gentleman depart unquestioned.
"I will take no secondhand information," he thought; "I will hear this
man's opinion from his own lips."
He went round to the front of the house directly the droning had ceased,
and was in the way when Dr.
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