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Summer dust was in the London streets, summer weather in the air, and the carriage of that fashionable practitioner, Sir Alexander Pepps, still waited before Lord Hartledon's house. It had waited there more frequently in these later weeks than of old. The great world her world wondered what was the matter with her: Sir Alexander wondered also.
We might all lie in bed if we studied comfort. Is there any earthly reason why she should stay there, Pepps?" "Not any, except weakness." "Except idleness, you mean. Why don't you order her to get up?" "I have advised Lady Hartledon to do so, and she does not attend to me," replied Sir Alexander. "Oh," said the dowager. "She was always wilful. What about her heart?"
"But I do not observe any symptoms of that malady developing themselves at present," added the doctor. "I think I may say it is not small-pox." "Good patience, Pepps! you'll frighten me into it. It is and it isn't what do you mean? What is it, if it's not that?" "I may be able to tell after a second visit. Good morning, Lady Kirton," said he, backing out.
"How should any one know? Get Pepps here directly. Have you sent for him?" "No," said Anne. "I have more confidence in Mr. Brook where children are concerned." "Confidence in Brook!" shrieked the dowager, pushing up her flaxen front. "A common, overworked apothecary! Confidence in him, Lady Hartledon! Elster's life may be in danger; he is my grandchild, and I insist on Pepps being fetched to him."
Pray, have you reason to suspect anything wrong now?" "That's what you ought to have ascertained, Pepps, not me. What d'you mean by your neglect? What, I ask, does she lie in bed for? If her heart's right, there's nothing more the matter with her than there is with you." "Perhaps your ladyship can persuade Lady Hartledon to exert herself," suggested the bland doctor.
One morning Sir Alexander Pepps, on his way from the drawing-room to his chariot a very old-fashioned chariot that all the world knew well paused midway in the hall, with his cane to his nose, and condescended to address the man with the powdered wig who was escorting him. "Is his lordship at home?" "Yes, sir." "I wish to see him."
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