Quicksilver - Amanda Quick [23]
“I am still making inquiries, but the name of one doctor in particular keeps popping up,” Charlotte said. “Dr. Spinner. His patients rave about his skill in treating hysteria. They say he uses the very latest electrical medical device to achieve astonishing results.”
“How does it work?”
“I have heard that the instrument vibrates. Evidently a number of women have booked standing, weekly appointments with Dr. Spinner. They say they wouldn’t miss a treatment for the world.”
“It is always good to hear positive testimonials about a doctor before one books an appointment,” Virginia said. “But I must admit I am not keen on the notion of a medical procedure that involves an electrical device. It sounds rather dangerous.”
“According to what I have heard, Spinner’s treatment is very safe. I have been assured that the vibrating device he uses to induce the therapeutic paroxysm is of the most modern design and extremely efficient.”
“The treatment he prescribes is for female hysteria,” Virginia reminded her. “Neither of us actually suffers from that condition.”
“How difficult can it be to fake an attack of female hysteria, for goodness’ sake?”
“Good point,” Virginia agreed. “In any event, after what I went through last night, I’m certain my nerves are very fragile indeed.”
“Of course they are,” Charlotte said enthusiastically. “So are mine. I doubt very much that Dr. Spinner is overly exacting when it comes to establishing a diagnosis, in any event. After all, the one thing everyone knows about patients who suffer from female hysteria is that they represent a great source of repeat business for a doctor.”
“The disease doesn’t kill the patient, but the patient must be treated on a regular basis in order to achieve a therapeutic effect.”
“In short, the hysteria patient is the ideal patient,” Charlotte said. “Furthermore, those in the medical profession are convinced that spinsterhood itself is enough to produce hysteria in women. Something to do with the problem of female congestion. We both qualify as spinsters now. Very hard on the nerves, they say.”
“I expect an unfortunate marriage would be equally hard on the nerves.” Virginia shuddered. “Only consider poor Lady Hollister’s situation. She must have suspected that she was wedded to a monster, but there was nothing she could do about it. In the end it obviously drove her mad. I would much prefer the problem of female congestion.”
“Let’s be honest here,” Charlotte said. “Neither of us would have put up with a creature as vile as Hollister any longer than it took to determine his true nature. Had he married either one of us, he would have expired on his honeymoon.”
“Well, there is that,” Virginia agreed. “But you and I both possess a considerable degree of talent, and with strong talent comes strong intuition. I doubt very much that either one of us would have married such a beast in the first place. We would have sensed the monster in him.”
“We both know that one of the reasons we are facing spinsterhood in the first place is because of our talents.” Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “Strong intuition is all well and good, but it certainly gets in the way of romantic relationships. Just think, Ginny, we will both be twenty-seven years old, and neither one of us has found a man we could love with any degree of passion. Which is why we really must give serious consideration to Dr. Spinner’s therapy.”
“I agree, but I’m afraid I won’t be free to try Spinner’s treatment until after I’ve finished assisting Mr. Sweetwater with his investigation.” Virginia put down her empty cup and rose from the table. “Let us hope that my nerves survive intact long enough for me to seek medical therapy for my hysteria and congestion when this business is completed.”
EIGHT
Virginia left the bookshop a short time later. It was late afternoon, but the fog had brought on an early twilight. The buildings on either side of the narrow street loomed in the eerie gray