prescribe for me, as I have no great opinion
of your master's talents."

"If you wish it, madam," said I, bowing respectfully.

"You have camphor julep ready made up, have you not?"

"Yes, madam," replied I.

"Then do me the favour to send the boy with a bottle to my house
directly." I handed down the bottle, she paid for it, and putting it
into Timothy's hands, desired him to take it to the direction which she
gave him. Timothy put on his hat, cocked his eye at me, and left us
alone.

"What is your name?" said she, in the same melodious voice.

"Japhet Newland, madam," replied I.

"Japhet--it is a good, a scriptural name," said the lady, musirg in half
soliloquy. "Newland--that sounds of mammon."

"This mystery is unravelled," thought I, and I was right in my
conjectures. "She is some fanatical methodist;" but I looked at her
again, and her dress disclaimed the idea, for in it there was much taste
displayed.

"Who gave you that name?" said she, after a pause.

The question was simple enough, but it stirred up a host of annoying
recollections; but not wishing to make a confidant of her, I gently
replied, as I used to do in the Foundling Hospital on Sunday
morning--"My godfathers and godmothers in my baptism, ma'am."

"My dear sir, I am very ill," said she, after a pause, "will you feel my
pulse?"

I touched a wrist, and looked at a hand that was worthy of being
admired. What a pity, thought I, that she should be old, ugly, and half
crazy!

"Do you not think that this pulse of mine exhibits considerable nervous
excitement? I reckoned it this morning, it was at a hundred and twenty."

"It certainly beats quick," replied I, "but perhaps the camphor julep
may prove beneficial."

"I thank you for your advice, Mr Newland," said she, laying down a
guinea, "and if I am not better, I will call again, or send for you.
Good-night."

She walked out of the shop, leaving me in no small astonishment. What
could she mean? I was lost in reverie, when Timothy returned. The guinea
remained on the counter.

"I met her going home," said he. "Bless me--a guinea--why, Japhet!" I
recounted all that had passed. "Well, then, it has turned out well for
us instead of ill, as I expected."

The _us_ reminded me that we shared profits on these occasions, and I
offered Timothy his half; but Tim, with all his _espieglerie_ was not
selfish, and he stoutly refused to take his share. He dubbed me an M.D.,
and said I had beat Mr Co