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 did not argue with her whether I would live or die, it was too futile.

"This man Lansdowne is F.R.C.S. and M.D. London," she reminded me.

"I don't care if he's all the letters of the alphabet. He grins at me, talks smugly, patronises me, pats my shoulder. He will send his carriage to follow the funeral. I see in his face that he has made up his mind to it."

Nurse interfered and said that Dr. Lansdowne was most able.

"Send her out of the room." I was impatient at her interference.

"All right, nurse, I'll sit with Mrs. Vevaseur until you've had your dinner. You won't talk too much?" she said to me imploringly.

"Perhaps," I answered, and smiled. It was good to have Ella sitting with me again.

"The doctor did not wish her to speak at all, nor to see visitors."

I don't know how Ella managed to get that authoritative white-capped female out of the room, but she did; she had infinite tact and resource.

"Shall I get my needlework? Or would you rather I read to you? You really mustn't talk."

"Neither. You are not going away?"

"I am staying as long as you want me."

Not a word about the times when I had told her