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CHAPTER XIX.
A COUNCIL OF WAR.
That evening there was a mysterious private
gathering of ladies in Mrs. Dumaresq's room,
chosen because it was the largest To it
came first of all the medical woman, bursting
with importance and revelations. Mrs.
Whitley, Mrs. Dumaresq herself, and the
specially invited Mrs. Wilcox made up the
conclave.
Mrs. Wilcox was nervous and agitated. She felt sure the medical woman had something dreadful to tell her, and whether that something related to the contagious nature of Miss Prudence Semaphore's illness, or to something darker but less infectious, she did not know.
"Well, ladies," she began nervously, as by Mrs. Dumaresq's request she seated herself, "what have you to say to me? I hope,"
