The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 255: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SICK - BED 233 your own experiences, Doctor Thurston, in febrile maladies and the delirium accompanying them.” “Well, well, gentlemen,” interrupted the marquis, some- what impatiently, “ tell me what you mean. Is it that you apprehend that my niece may betray some secret matters which in her rational moments she would fain conceal? ” “To speak the truth candidly,’’ answered Doctor Thurs- ton, “‘ that is precisely what we do mean. Therefore we earnestly recommend your lordship to secure the silence of the nurse and the lady’s-maid. Money will do wonders in putting a seal upon the lips, will it not, Doctor Cop- peras? ”’ ‘It will, Doctor Thurston,”’ replied the learned physician, with a courteous bow, for these two eminent men invariably made it a rule never to appear too intimate with each other in the presence of a third party. ‘Oh, as for that,” said the marquis, scarcely able to conceal his vexation, ‘‘I can answer for the lady’s-maid; she is fidelity and prudence personified. As for the nurse, I will line her pockets with gold. Of course the honour of your profession will induce you, gentlemen, to keep to your- selves whatever you may have heard fall from my niece’s lips in her delirium?” ‘“‘ Oh, as a matter of course, my dear marquis,” said Doctor Thurston. ‘“‘ Beyond all doubt,’’ added Doctor Copperas. Lord Leveson stepped aside to one of the windows for a moment, took out a bundle of bank-notes from his pocket, selected two of a hundred pounds each, and presenting one to Doctor Thurston and the other to Doctor Copperas, he observed, in a significant manner, ‘‘I rely upon your secrecy.” They renewed the assurance of strict honour in the matter, and then proceeded to inform his lordship that, after a long, serious, and mature deliberation, they had come to the con- clusion that Lady Ernestina Dysart was in a state of the utmost danger, that nothing but their unwearied attention could assist the patient in wrestling against her malady, and that they would therefore do themselves the pleasure of calling three times a day, unless sent for oftener. When they had taken their departure, after having left a prescription, the Marquis of Leveson proceeded to the in- (CO in