
This eBook was produced by Andrew Heath
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
In this quietly charged tale a young physician, Allen Fenwick, receives an unexpected summons from the formidable Mrs. Poyntz, whose daughter Lilian lies ill under the care of a rival doctor. As Fenwick steps into the drawing‑room, he is drawn into a careful weighing of duty, honor and personal desire, while Mrs. Poyntz offers a blunt appraisal of the match she believes would suit him best. The conversation drifts between professional ethics and the intimate anxieties of a mother who fears for her child’s fragile health.
The narrative gently unfolds the tension between ambition and affection, hinting at the delicate balance a doctor must strike when love and responsibility intersect. Through witty repartee and restrained emotion, the story paints a portrait of Victorian society’s expectations, setting the stage for choices that could shape both careers and hearts. Listeners will find themselves contemplating how far a rational mind can go when confronted with the messier demands of love and family.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (128K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-03-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1873
Best remembered today for unforgettable phrases like "the pen is mightier than the sword" and "It was a dark and stormy night," this Victorian novelist was once one of the most widely read writers in Britain. He paired literary fame with a busy political career, giving his work an unusual mix of melodrama, ambition, and public life.
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