Отель с привидениями
Chapter VIII
ItwaswithgreatreluctancethatIaddedtoLadyMontbarry’sdistress;butIfeltbound,whenshesuggestedaconsultationwithanotherphysician,toownthatItoothoughttherewasreallyneedforit.
’"Herladyshipinstructedmetosparenoexpense,andtogetthebestmedicalopinioninItaly.Thebestopinionwashappilywithinourreach.ThefirstandforemostofItalianphysiciansisTorelloofPadua.Isentaspecialmessengerforthegreatman.Hearrivedontheeveningofthe21st,andconfirmedmyopinionthatpneumoniahadsetin,andthatourpatient’slifewasindanger.Itoldhimwhatmytreatmentofthecasehadbeen,andheapprovedofitineveryparticular.Hemadesomevaluablesuggestions,and(atLadyMontbarry’sexpressrequest)heconsentedtodeferhisreturntoPaduauntilthefollowingmorning.
’"Webothsawthepatientatintervalsinthecourseofthenight.Thedisease,steadilyadvancing,setourutmostresistanceatdefiance.InthemorningDoctorTorellotookhisleave.’Icanbeofnofurtheruse,’hesaidtome.’Themanispastallhelp—andheoughttoknowit.’
’"LaterinthedayIwarnedmylord,asgentlyasIcould,thathistimehadcome.Iaminformedthatthereareseriousreasonsformystatingwhatpassedbetweenusonthisoccasion,indetail,andwithoutanyreserve.Icomplywiththerequest.
’"LordMontbarryreceivedtheintelligenceofhisapproachingdeathwithbecomingcomposure,butwithacertaindoubt.Hesignedtometoputmyeartohismouth.