The First Part
Chapter I
Intheyear1860,thereputationofDoctorWybrowasaLondonphysicianreacheditshighestpoint.Itwasreportedongoodauthoritythathewasinreceiptofoneofthelargestincomesderivedfromthepracticeofmedicineinmoderntimes.
Oneafternoon,towardsthecloseoftheLondonseason,theDoctorhadjusttakenhisluncheonafteraspeciallyhardmorning’sworkinhisconsulting-room,andwithaformidablelistofvisitstopatientsattheirownhousestofilluptherestofhisday—whentheservantannouncedthataladywishedtospeaktohim.
’Whoisshe?’theDoctorasked.’Astranger?’
’Yes,sir.’
’Iseenostrangersoutofconsulting-hours.Tellherwhatthehoursare,andsendheraway.’
’Ihavetoldher,sir.’
’Well?’
’Andshewon’tgo.’
’Won’tgo?’TheDoctorsmiledasherepeatedthewords.Hewasahumouristinhisway;andtherewasanabsurdsidetothesituationwhichratheramusedhim.’Hasthisobstinateladygivenyouhername?’heinquired.
’No,sir.Sherefusedtogiveanyname—shesaidshewouldn’tkeepyoufiveminutes,andthematterwastooimportanttowaittillto-morrow.Theresheisintheconsulting-room;andhowtogetheroutagainismorethanIknow.’
DoctorWybrowconsideredforamoment.Hisknowledgeofwomen(professionallyspeaking)restedontheripeexperienceofmorethanthirtyyears;hehadmetwiththeminalltheirvarieties—especiallythevarietywhichknowsnothingofthevalueoftime,andneverhesitatesatshelteringitselfbehindtheprivilegesofitssex.
