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Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren].

  • Samuel Warren
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to convey himself and Beauchamp to the scene of possible slaughter fixed on overnight. He would take no denial from the servant; declared his business to he of the most pressing kind ; and afiected to disbelieve the fact of Beauchamp’s illness —“ It was all miserable fudge and he was heard muttering something about “ cowardice ! The strange pertinacity of Sir Edward brought me down stairs. He stood fuming and cursing in the hall; hut started on seeing me come down, with a candle in my hand, and he turned pale. “ Doctor-!” he exclaimed, taking off his hat; for he had once or twice seen me, and instantly recognized me—“ Why, in the name of Heaven, what is the matter ? Is he ill ? Is he dead ? WTat ? ” “ Sir Edward,” I replied coldly, “ Mr Beauchamp is in dan¬ gerous, if not dying, circumstances.” Dying circumstances!” he echoed, with an alarmed air. “ Why—has he—has he attempted to commit suicide ? ” he stammered. “ No, but he has had a fit, and is insensible in bed. You will permit me to say. Sir Edward,” I continued, a suspicion occur¬ ring to me of his design in calling, “ that this untimely visit looks as if”- “ That is my business, doctor,” he replied haughtily, “ not yours. My errand is of the highest importance ; and it is fitting I should be assured, on your solemn word of honour, of the reality of Mr Beauchamp’s illness.” “ Sir Edward Streighton,” said I indignantly, “ you have had my answer, which you may believe or disbelieve, as you think proper; but I will, at all events, take good care that you do not ascend one of these stairs to-day.” “ I understand it all!” he answered, with a significant scowl, and left the house. I then hastened back to my patient, whom I now viewed with greater interest than before; for I saw that he was to have fought a duel that morning. Coupling present appearances with Mr Beauchamp’s visit to me the day before, and the known character of Sir Edward as a professed gambler, the key to the whole seemed to me, that there had been a gam¬ ing-house quarrel.
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