mantel-shelf, in a graceful,
though rather pompous attitude. "Now," he said, addressing his remarks
to M. Casimir, "I desire to make a few inquiries. Is this the first time
the Count de Chalusse has had such an attack?"

"Yes, sir--at least since I have been in attendance upon him."

"Very good. That is a chance in our favor. Tell me--have you ever heard
him complain of vertigo, or of a buzzing in his ears?"

"Never."

Mademoiselle Marguerite seemed inclined to volunteer some remark, but
the doctor imposed silence upon her by a gesture, and continued his
examination. "Is the count a great eater?" he inquired. "Does he drink
heavily?"

"The count is moderation itself, monsieur, and he always takes a great
deal of water with his wine."

The doctor listened with an air of intent thoughtfulness, his head
slightly inclined forward, his brow contracted, and his under lip puffed
out, while from time to time he stroked his beardless chin. He was
copying his master. "The devil!" he said, sotto voce. "There must
be some cause for such an attack, however. Nothing in the count's
constitution predisposes him to such an accident----" Then, suddenly
turning toward Mademoiselle Marguerite: "Do you know, mademoiselle,
whether the count has experienced any very violent emotion during the
past few days?"

"Something occurred this very morning, which seemed to annoy him very
much."

"Ah! now we have it," said the doctor, with the air of an oracle. "Why
did you not tell me all this at first? It will be necessary for you to
give me the particulars, mademoiselle."

The young girl hesitated. The servants were dazed by the doctor's
manner; but Mademoiselle Marguerite was far from sharing their awe
and admiration. She would have given anything to have had the regular
physician of the household there instead of him! As for this coarse
examination in the presence of all these servants, and by the bedside of
a man who, in spite of his apparent unconsciousness, was, perhaps, able
to hear and to comprehend, she looked upon it as a breach of delicacy,
even of propriety.

"It is of the most urgent importance that I should be fully informed of
these particulars," repeated the physician peremptorily.

After such an assertion, further hesitation was out of the question.
Mademoiselle Marguerite seemed to collect her thoughts, and then she
sadly said: "Just as we sat down to breakfast this morning, a letter
was handed to the count. No sooner