The physician, in consequence of the Count's admissions, and his own observations, perceived that it was necessary he should be as peremptory as his patient, whom, however, he could not induce to admit a nurse, though he deprecated, for Helen, the continuance in one apartment. Lady Anne argued, "that what was good for herself could not be bad for her daughters, as they must originally have the same constitutions; but whether that was the case or not, it was their duty to attend on her—two daughters could surely manage one mother.
The doctor had his doubts; but the pertinacity, and the quiet, half-concealed contempt of the lady, piqued him into using his utmost endeavours, by way of convincing her his way was the right in preference to her own; and, in about a week's time, she really did admit as much to Mrs. Palmer, who, with her wonted kindness, sought every day to soften the term of her imprisonment. At this time she informed her, that Lord Meersbrook had written to his grandfather, "that he had seen the captain of a vessel who had been in the same storm with the Thetis, and maintained that she did not go down at that period; and that, being a much larger and better appointed vessel than his own, he trusted she might be then working her way homewards, though slowly."
Mrs. Palmer added, "that this news, though it
