Page:Dombey and Son.djvu/30

4 there is a certain degree of languor, and a general absence of elasticity, which we would rather—not—"

"See," interposed the family practitioner with another inclination of the head.

"Quite so," said Doctor Parker Peps, "which we would rather not see. It would appear that the system of Lady Cankaby—excuse me : I should say of Mrs. Dombey: I confuse the names of cases—"

"So very numerous," murmured the family practitioner—"can't be expected I'm sure—quite wonderful if otherwise—Doctor Parker Peps's West End practice—"

"Thank you," said the Doctor, "quite so. It would appear, I was observing, that the system of our patient has sustained a shock, from which it can only hope to rally by a great and strong—"

"And vigorous," murmured the family practitioner.

"Quite so," assented the Doctor—"and vigorous effort. Mr. Pilkins here, who from his position of medical adviser in this family—no one better qualified to fill that position, I am sure."

"Oh!" murmured the family practitioner. "'Praise from Sir Hubert Stanley!'"

"You are good enough," returned Doctor Parker Peps, "to say so. Mr. Pilkins who, from his position, is best acquainted with. the patient's constitution in its normal state (an acquaintance very valuable to us in forming our opinions on these occasions), is of opinion, with me, that Nature must be called upon to make a vigorous effort in this instance; and that if our interesting friend the Countess of Dombey—I beg yoiur pardon; Mrs. Dombey—should not be—"

"Able," said the family practitioner.

"To make that effort successfully," said Doctor Parker Peps, "then a crisis might arise, which we should both sincerely deplore."

With that, they stood for a few seconds looking at the ground. Then, on the motion—made in dumb show—of Doctor Parker Peps, they went up stairs; the family practitioner opening the room door for that distinguished professional, and following him out, with most obsequious politeness.

To record of Mr. Dombey that he was not in Ms way affected by this intelligence, would be to do him an injustice. He was not a man of whom it could properly be said that he was ever startled, or shocked; but he certainly had a sense within him, that if his wife should sicken and decay, he would be very sorry, and that he would find a something gone from among his plate and furniture, and other household possessions, which was well worth the having, and could not be lost without sincere regret. Though it would be a cool, business-like, gentlemanly, self-possessed regret, no doubt.

His meditations on the subject were soon interrupted, first by the rustling of garments on the staircase, and then by the sudden whisking into the room of a lady rather past the middle age than otherwise, but dressed in a very juvenile manner, particularly as to the tightness of her boddice [sic], who, running up to him with a kind of screw in her face and carnage, expressive of suppressed emotion, flung her arms round his neck, and said, in a choking voice,

"My dear Paul! He's quite a Dombey!"

"Well, well!" returned her brother—for Mr. Dombey was her brother—"I think he is like the family. Don't agitate yourself, Louisa."