Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-22
Countess NarOla.
By WILKIE COLLINS.
THE FIRST PART.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I. In the year 1860 the reputation of Dr. Wy. brow as Q London physician reached it's highest point It was reported on good authority that he was ill receipt of one of the | largest incomes derived from the practice of medicine ill modern times. One afternoon, toward the close of the Lon don season, the doctor had just taken his luncheon after a specially hard mornings work in his consulting room. and with a formidable list of visits to patients at their own houses to fill up the rest of his day when the servant announced that a lady wished to speak to him. "Who is she?" the doctor asked. "A stranger?"
 "Yes, sir"
 Tell her what the hours are, and send her away"
 q have told her, sir" "Wellp
 "And she won't go."
 "Won't go?' The doctor smiled as he re- peated the words. He was humorist in his way; and there an absurd side to the situation which rather amused him. "Has this obstinate lady given you her name?" he inquired
 "No, sir. She refused to give any name she said she wouldn't keep you five minutes, ! and the matter was too important to wait till tomorrow. There she is ill the consulting room; and how to get her out again is more than 1 know"
 Dr. Wybrow considered for a moment. His knowledge of women professionally speakinc) rested on the ripe experience of more than thirty years; he had met with them ill all their varieties-especially the l variety which knows nothing of the value of time, and never hesitates at sheltering itself behind the privileges of its sex. A glance at his watch inform d him that he must soon begin his rounds among tine patients who wei @ waiting for him at their own houses. He decided forthwith on taking the only wise course that was opened under the circum- | stances. In other words, he decided on taking to flight.
 "Is the carriage at the doora" he asked. "Yes sir"
 "Very we'll Open the house door for me without making any noise, and leave the lady in undisturbed possession of the consult ing room. When she gets tired of waiting, you know what to tell her. If she asks when 1 am expected to return, say that I dins at my club, and spend the evening at tl'e theatre. Now, then, softly, Thomas! If your shoes creak, am lost man."
 He noislessly led the way into the hall, fol lowed by the servant on tiptoe.
 Did the lady in the consulting room sus- Dect him? or did Thomas shoes creak, and was her sense of hearing unusually keens Whatever the explanation may be, the event that actually happened was beyond all doubt Exactly as Dr. Wybrow passed his consult ing room, the door opened-the lady appeared -1.l 1osl l~- 1x.,- arm. c
 'l entreat you, sir, not to go away without letting me speak to you first"
 The accent was foreign; the tone was low and firm. Her fingers closed gently, and yet resolutely, on the doctors arm.
 Neither her language nor her action had the slightest effect in inclinng him to grant her request The influence that instantly stopped him, on the way to his carriage, was the silent influence of her face. The startling contrast between the corpselike pallor of her complexion and the overpoYering life and light, the glittering metallic brightness in her large black eyes, held him literally spell bound. She was dressed ill dark coloss, with perfect taste; she was of middle height, and Apparently of middle age-say year or two over 30. Her lower features-the nose, mouth and chin-possessed '" fineness and delicucy of form which is oftener seen among women of foreign races than among women of English birth. She was unquestionably handsome person-with the one serious draw back of her ghastly complexion, and with the less noticeable defect of total want of tender ness in the expression Of her eyes. Apart from his first emotion of surprise, the feeling she produced in the doctor may be described as an overpowering feeling of professional curiosity. The case might prove to be some thing entirely new in his professional expert ence. ''It looks like it,' he thought; land it's worth waiting for"
 She perceived that she had produced strong impression of some kind upon him, and dropped her hold on his arm.
 "You have comforted many miserable women in your time" she said. "Comfort one today"
 Without waiting to be answered she led the way back into the room.
 The doctor followed her and closed the door. He placed her in the patients chair, opposite the windows. Even in London the sun. on that summer afternoon, was dag zlingly bright The radiant light flowed in on her. Her eyes met it unflinchingly, with the steely steadiness of the eyes of an eagle. The smooth palor of her unwrinkled skin looked more fearfully white than ever. For the first time in many long year past the doctor felt his pulse quicken its beat in the presence of patient.