“Just one moment, please, Miss Minturn,” said the gentleman, detaining her.  “There is one thing more I would like to speak of.  Will you kindly look me directly in the eyes?” Somewhat surprised, Katherine turned her glance upon his and looked searchingly into those fine eyes so deeply blue, but flushing as she did so.

“Can you detect any difference in them?” he questioned.

“No, I cannot,” she said, and knowing now why he had asked it, for she remembered what Miss Reynolds had told her.

“Well, there is,” he affirmed, “for I am blind in my left eye, although scarcely anyone would observe it; at least I can only discern light from darkness.  It was caused by an accident when I was a child.  Do you believe, Miss Minturn, that normal sight could be restored to that eye?”

“I know that it could,” Katherine began.

“Yes, of course, you know that God has power to restore it,” her companion interposed; “but do you believe any practitioner would take my case and encourage me to hope for such a result?”

“Assuredly,” said the girl, with unwavering confidence.

“Truly, your faith is unbounded,” Phillip Stanley observed, with a smile in which there was a glimmer of skepticism.  “I wish it could find an echo in my own heart, for I would give a great deal for so priceless a boon.  But where do your practitioners go to learn their method?”

“To our text-book, ‘Science and Health.’  It—­”

“That little leather-covered book I used to see you reading on shipboard?”

“Yes; it contains the whole of Christian Science, and, Dr. Stanley”—­with a significant nod—­“he who will may read.”

“I understand”—­with a responsive laugh—­“one has to put forth individual effort in order to acquire valuable knowledge.  Pray pardon me for detaining you so long, and possibly I may ask to talk with you further after I have consulted my sister and her husband.  Really, Miss Minturn”—­he interposed in a deprecatory tone and flushing with a sense of the incongruity of his position--"I am afraid I am rather faithless, but something impels me to suggest that a trial be given the Science treatment before the adoption of severe measures.  Good-afternoon, and thank you for your courtesy and patience.”

He shook hands cordially with her, then bowed himself away.

CHAPTER XII.

Prof.  Seabrook’s ultimatum—­and broken rules.

Dr. Stanley, after sitting a while with Dorothy, to watch the effect of a remedy given to relieve her suffering, went directly back to the city, wearing a very thoughtful face.

Upon reaching his office, and finding no one awaiting him, he picked up a book from his desk and went out again, directing his steps towards the public library.

Arriving there, he searched the catalogue and, at length, finding the title he desired, wrote the number on his card and presented his book to be exchanged.