“Excitement and happiness,” said Walter.

The doctor took no notice of him.  “He has been outraging nature,” said he, “and she will have her revenge.  We are not out of the wood yet, Colonel Clifford, and you had better put them all three under my command.”

“I do, my good friend; I do,” said Colonel Clifford, eagerly.  “It is your department, and I don’t believe in two commanders.”

They drew up at the great door of Clifford Hall.  It seemed to open of itself, and there were all the servants drawn up in two lines.

They all showed eager sympathy, but only John Baker and Mrs. Milton ventured to express it.  “God bless you all!” said Colonel Clifford.  “But it is our turn now.  They are all in the doctor’s hands.  My whole household obey him to the letter.  It is my order.  Doctor Garner, this is Mrs. Milton, my housekeeper.  You will find her a good lieutenant.”

“Mrs. Milton,” said the doctor, sharply, “warm baths in three rooms, and to bed with this lot.  Carry Mr. Hope up; he is my first patient.  Bring me eggs, milk, brandy, new port-wine.  Cook!”

“Sir?”

“Hammer three chickens to pieces with your rolling-pin, then mince them; then chuck them into a big pot with cold water, stew them an hour, and then boil them to a jelly, strain, and serve.  Meantime, send up three slices of mutton half raw; we will do a little chewing, not much.”

The patients submitted like lambs, only Walter grumbled a little, but at last confessed to a headache and sudden weariness.

Julia Clifford took special charge of Grace Hope, the doctor of William Hope, and Colonel Clifford sat by Walter, congratulating, soothing, and encouraging him, until he began to doze.

* * * * *

Doctor Garner’s estimate of his patients proved correct.  The next day Walter was in a raging fever.

Hope remained in a pitiable state of weakness, and Grace, who in theory was the weaker vessel, began to assist Julia in nursing them both.  To be sure, she was all whip-cord and steel beneath her delicate skin, and had always been active and temperate.  And then she was much the youngest, and the constitutions of such women are anything but weak.  Still, it was a most elastic recovery from a great shock.

But the more her body recovered its strength, and her brain its clearness, the more was her mind agitated and distressed.

Her first horrible anxiety was for Walter’s life.  The doctor showed no fear, but that might be his way.

It was a raging fever, with all the varieties that make fever terrible to behold.  He was never left without two attendants; and as Hope was in no danger now, though pitiably weak and slowly convalescent, Grace was often one of Walter’s nurses.  So was Julia Clifford.  He sometimes recognized them for a little while, and filled their loving hearts with hope.  But the next moment he was off into