No, no, you must put that out of your
mind altogether."
Lionel turned to Maurice.
"Maurice," he said, in that husky voice, and yet with a curious, subdued
eagerness, "telegraph to Lehmann at once--at once. Doyle is all right;
he has sung the part often enough. And will you send a note to Doyle; he
can go into my dressing-room and take any of my things he wants; Lingard
has the keys. And a telegram to mother, in case she should see something
in the newspapers; tell her there is nothing the matter--only a trifling
cold--"
"Really, Mr. Moore," said the doctor, interposing, "you must have a
little care; you must calm yourself. I am sure your friend will attend
to all these matters for you, but in the meantime you must exercise the
greatest self-control, or you may do your throat some serious injury.
Why should you be disturbed by so common an incident in professional
life? Your substitute will do well enough, and the public will greet you
with all the greater favor on your return."
"It never happened before," the young man said, in lower tones. "I never
had to give in before."
"Now tell me," Dr. Whitsen continued. "Dr. Ballardyce is your usual
medical attendant, is he not?"
"I know him very well; he is an old friend of mine, but I've never had
occasion to trouble him much," was the answer, given with some greater
care and reserve.
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