self at the piano, evidently in the hope that his neighbor at table
would follow and allow him to give a musical commentary on his
knowledge of art and life. But Edwin was compelled to forego this
instructive pleasure; for the little man with the high shoulders and
clever old face, whom Gaston had introduced as the family physician,
approached him and asked in his low courteous voice, if he was not the
son of one of his college classmates who had suddenly abandoned the
profession of law to marry a very beautiful wife. He had been struck by
the resemblance before he heard the name. When Edwin answered in the
affirmative, the little man became very confidential, and after
inquiring very particularly about his old friend, acquainted the son
with his own circumstances.

When a student of theology, somewhat advanced in life, he had entered
the household to assist in educating the young count, who was then
about six years old. The countess, already a widow, had taken a fancy
to the clever man, who was better versed in every other department than
that of theology--a fancy, which in spite of the tutor's insignificant
appearance, seemed to have ripened into a still warmer feeling. Not a
syllable on the part of the discreet speaker, only a peculiar glance
from his piercing eyes conveyed this inference. As his prospect of
advancement in his real profession became poorer and poorer, an old
predilection for physical science obtained a stronger hold upon his
mind; the idea of going to Berlin occurred to him, and he studied
anatomy there for several years, absorbed all sorts of surgical
knowledge, and at last, as the countess would not consent to dispense
with his services any longer, returned to the castle with the title of
doctor somewhat doubtfully obtained, but a most undoubted salary as
physician-in-ordinary, as his former pupil had left home some time
before to complete his education by foreign travel.

He had understood the art of maintaining his position, even after the
death of his patroness; he had sustained it principally it appeared, by
a marriage with the countess' by no means youthful waiting maid and
_confidante_. He spoke of this union with a lofty and sarcastic smile,
that like many other things in the clever man, greatly disgusted Edwin.
The gentleman seemed to perceive the impression his confidential
communications were making on his hearer. "My dear Herr Doctor," said
he, "you're still a young man, and have always