Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/225

Rh do. She should be put under proper restraint at once," said the doctor.

"Certainly," said the lawyer.

"But am I the proper person? It's throwing a great responsibility on me," said Marmaduke anxiously.

"A great responsibility," said I. "You're the only person to take the necessary steps. If she has any relations, we can't afford to wait till they turn up, or we can find them," said the doctor.

"Yes; you must act, Mr. Marmaduke," said the lawyer.

"Well, gentlemen, I place myself unreservedly in your hands," said Marmaduke. "I shall follow your advice implicitly. What is to be done?"

The lawyer rubbed his hands, the doctor smiled and said: "I shall send word to Dr. Sharpe—he's the best man in Winchester—to-night, and ask him to come with me and visit her to-morrow morning. We shall sign the certificate, and you will only have to send it to the Medical Superintendent of the County Asylum, and he will send for her."

"Oh, no, I shouldn't like that at all," said Marmaduke quickly. "I should prefer a good private asylum, where she will be as comfortable as possible. Of course, before she married my father she did not enjoy decent comfort, much less