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again； Nugent opened the door for us to go out。 Lucilla and I left the
twins together； in the modest little room which had witnessed a scene
alike memorable to all of us for its interest at the time； and for the
results which were to come of it in the future。
Half an hour later； we were all assembled at the rectory。
Our adjourned debateexcepting one small suggestion emanating from
myselfwas a debate which led to nothing。 It may be truly described as
resolving itself into the delivery of an Oration by Mr。 Finch。 Subject；
the assertion of Mr。 Finch's dignity。
On this occasion （having matters of more importance on hand） I take the
liberty of cutting the reverend gentleman's speech by the pattern of the
reverend gentleman's stature。 Short in figure； the rector shall be here；
for the first time in his life； short in language too。
Reverend Finch rose； and saidhe objected to everything。 To receiving a
message on a card instead of a proper note。 To being expected to present
himself at Browndown at a moment's notice。 To being the last person
informed （instead of the first） of Mr。 Nugent Dubourg's exaggerated and
absurd view of the case of his afflicted child。 To the German surgeon； as
being certainly a foreigner and a stranger； and possibly a quack。 To the
slur implied on British Surgery by bringing the foreigner to Dimchurch。
To the expense involved in the same proceeding。 Finally to the whole
scope and object of Mr。 Nugent Dubourg's proposal； which had for its
origin rebellion against the decrees of an all…wise Providence； and for
its result the disturbance of his daughter's mind〃under My influence；
sir； a mind in a state of Christian resignation： under Your influence； a
mind in a state of infidel revolt。〃 With those concluding remarks； the
reverend gentleman sat downand paused for a reply。
A remarkable result followed； which might be profitably permitted to take
place in some other Parliaments。 Nobody replied。
Mr。 Nugent Dubourg roseno！ satand said； he declined to take any part
in the proceedings。 He was quite ready to wait； until the end justified
the means which he proposed to employ。 For the rest； his conscience was
at ease； and he was entirely at Miss Finch's service。
Mr。 Oscar Dubourg； sitting hidden from notice behind his brother；
followed his brother's example。 The decision in the matter under
discussion rested with Miss Finch alone。 He had no opinion of his own to
offer on it。
Miss Finch herself； appealed to next：Had but one reply to give。 With
all possible respect for her father； she ventured to think that neither
he nor any one； possessing the sense of vision； could quite enter into
her feelings as the circumstances then were。 If there really was any
chance of her recovering her sight； the least she could do would be to
give that chance a fair trial。 She entreated Mr。 Nugent Dubourg not to
lose one unnecessary moment in bringing the German surgeon to Dimchurch。
Mrs。 Finch； called upon next。 Spoke after some little delay； caused by
the loss of her pocket…handkerchief。 Would not presume to differ in
opinion with her husband； whom she had never yet known to be otherwise
than perfectly right about everything。 But； if the German surgeon _did_
come； and if Mr。 Finch saw no objection to it； she would much like to
consult him （gratis； if possible） on the subject of 〃baby's eyes。〃 Mrs。
Finch was proceeding to explain that there was happily nothing the
matter； that she could see； with the infant's eyes at that particular
moment； and that she merely wished to take a skilled medical opinion； in
the event of something happening on some future occasionwhen she was
called to order by Mr。 Finch。 The reverend gentleman； at the same time；
appealed to Madame Pratolungo to close the debate by giving frank
expression to her own opinion。
Madame Pratolungo； speaking in conclusion； remarked：
That the question of consulting the German surgeon appeared （after what
had fallen from Miss Finch） to be a question which had passed beyond the
range of any expression of feeling on the part of other persons。 That she
proposed； accordingly； to look； beyond the consultation； at the results
which might follow it。 That； contemplating these possible results； she
held very strong views of her own； and would proceed to give frank
expression to them as follows。 That in her opinion； the proposed
investigation of the chances which might exist of restoring Miss Finch's
sight； involved consequences far too serious to be trusted to the
decision of any one man； no matter how skillful or how famous he might
be。 That； in pursuance of this view； she begged to suggest （1） the
association of an eminent English oculist with the eminent German
oculist； （2） an examination of Miss Finch's case by both the professional
gentlemen； consulting on it together； and （3） a full statement of the
opinions at which they might respectively arrive； to be laid before the
meeting now assembled； and to become the subject of a renewed discussion
before any decisive measures were taken。
Lastly； that this proposal be now submitted； in the form of a resolution；
and forthwith （if necessary） put to the vote。
Resolution； as above； put to the vote。
MajorityAyes。
Miss Finch。 Mr。 Nugent Dubourg。 Mr。 Oscar Dubourg。 Madame Pratolungo。
MinorityNoes。
No （on the score of expense）； Mr。 Finch。 No （because Mr。 F。 says No）；
Mrs。 Finch。
Resolution carried by a majority of two。 Debate adjourned to a day to be
hereafter decided on。
By the first train the next morning； Nugent Dubourg started for London。
At luncheon； the same day； a telegram arrived； reporting his proceedings
in the following terms：
〃I have seen my friend。 He is at our service。 He is also quite willing to
consult with any English oculist whom we may choose。 I am just off to
find the man。 Expect a second telegram later in the day。〃
The second telegram reached us in the evening； and ran thus：
〃Everything is settled。 The German oculist and the English oculist leave
London with me； by the twelve…forty train to…morrow afternoon。〃
After reading this telegram to Lucilla； I sent it to Oscar at Browndown。
Judge for yourself how he slept； and how we slept； that night！
CHAPTER THE THIRTIETH
Herr Grosse
SEVERAL circumstances deserving to be mentioned here； took place in the
early part of the day on which we expected the visit of the two oculists。
I have all the will to relate thembut the capacity to do it completely
fails me。
When I look back at that eventful morning； I recall a scene of confusion
and suspense； the bare recollection of which seems to upset my mind
again； even at this distance of time。 Things and persons all blend
distractedly one with another。 I see the charming figure of my blind
Lucilla； robed in rose…color and white； flitting hither and thither； in
the house and out of the houseat one time mad with impatience for the
arrival of the surgeons； at another； shuddering with apprehension of the
coming ordeal； and the coming disappointment which might follow。 A moment
moreand； just as my mind has seized it； the fair figure melts and
merges into the miserable apparition of Oscar； hovering and hesitating
between Browndown and the rectory； painfully conscious of the new
complications introduced into his position towards Lucilla by the new
state of things； and yet not man enough； even yet； to seize the
opportunity； and set himself right。 Another moment passes； and a new
figurea little strutting consequential figure forces its way into the
foreground； before I am ready for it。 I hear a big voice booming in my
ear； with big language to correspond。 〃No； Madame Pratolungo； nothing
will induce me to sanction by my presence this insane medical
consultation； this extravagant and profane attempt to reverse the decrees
of an all…wise Providence by purely human means。 My foot is downI use
the language of the people； observe； to impress it the more strongly on
your mindMy FOOT is down！〃 Another moment yet； and Finch and Finch's
Foot disappear over my mental horizon just as my eye has caught them。
Damp Mrs。 Finch； and the baby whose everlasting programme is suction and
sleep； take the vacant place。 Mrs。 Finch pledges me with watery
earnestness to secrecy； and then confides her intention of escaping her
husband's supervision if she can； and bringing British surgery and German
surgery to bear both together （gratis） on baby's eyes。 Conceive these
persons all twisting and turning in the convolutions of my brains； as if
those brains were a labyrinth； with the sayings and doings of one；
confusing themselves with the sayings and doings of the otherwith a
thin stream of my own private anxieties （comprehending luncheon on a
side…table for the doctors） trickling at intervals through it alland
you will not wonder if I take a jump； like a sheep； over some six hours
of precious time； and present my solitary self to your eye； posted alone
in the sitting…room to receive the council of surgeons on its arrival at
the house。 I had but two consolations to sustain me。
First； a Mayonnaise of chicken of my own making on the luncheon…table；
which； as a work of Art； was simply adorableI say no more。 Second