The manner, however, was more
violently altered. It was that which made the doctor think again and
intensely of Cuckoo's vague yet startling statement.
"Where did you meet Cuckoo, doctor?"
It was Julian who spoke, and the words were uttered with some excitement.
"I have met her," Levillier replied.
It was sufficiently evident that he did not intend to say where.
But Valentine broke in:
"She has called on you again, then, and this time found you at home.
I scarcely thought she would take the trouble."
"Again!" the doctor said.
"Yes. One evening when you were away I saw her at your door and ventured
to give her a piece of advice."
"And that was?"
"Not to trouble you. I told her your patients were of a different class."
"In that case I fear you misrepresented me, Cresswell. I do not choose my
patients. But Cuckoo Bright is no patient of mine."
"If she's not ill," Julian said, "why should she go to you?"
"That is her affair, and mine," the doctor answered, in his quietest and
most finishing tone.
Julian accepted the delicate little snub quietly, but Valentine sneered.
"Perhaps she went to seek you in your capacity of a doctor of the mind
rather than of the body. Perhaps, after all, she sought your aid.
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