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The physician looked grave "My lord, upon exa Lady St Vincent with a stethoscope, we detected a rushing noise at the site of the injury, which indicates the forcible ejection of arterial blood The subclavian artery has been nicked or partially severed If we try to repair the laceration, there’s a risk of life-threatening complications Therefore, the safest solution is to tie it off with a double ligature I will assist Dr Gibson in the process, which could possibly take as long as two hours In the meantime--"

"Wait," Gabriel said warily "You mean Dr Gibson will assist you"

"No, ery She is versed in the newest and most advanced techniques"

"I want you to do it"

"My lord, there are very few surgeons in England ould attempt this operation I aed artery is deeply placed and partially covered by the clavicle bone The entire area of operation is perhaps an inch and a half wide Saving your ill be a eon Cool-headed Her hands are steady, thin, and sensitive--perfect for delicate procedures such as this Furtherery, which erous than in the past"

"I want a second opinion"

The physician nodded cal "We’ll make the facilities available to anyone you choose, and assist in any e can But you had better fetch him quickly I know of only a half-dozen cases in the past thirty years with an injury similar to Lady St Vincent’s that have evertable She’s minutes away from heart failure"

Every uish He couldn’t accept as happening

But there was no choice In a life that had been filled with infinite opportunities, possibilities, and alternatives than s had ever been blessed withthere was no choice, nohen ittable," he asked hoarsely, "how aze as he replied "The prognosis for such an injury is unfavorable But Dr Gibson will give your wife the best chance of pulling through"

Which s weren’t quite steady beneath hiht drop to his knees

"Tell her to go ahead," he ed to say

"You consent to have Dr Gibson perforery?"