s in medicine for chronic disorder. Do you happen to have
heard of any new remedy then, Richard? No? They advertise a great many
cures for indigestion, I assure you, my dear boy. I wonder whether one
can rely upon the authenticity of those signatures? I see no reason why
there should be no cure for such a disease?--Eh? And it's just one of
the things a quack, as they call them, would hit upon sooner than one
who is in the beaten track. Do you know, Richard, my dear boy, I've
often thought that if we could by any means appropriate to our use some
of the extraordinary digestive power that a boa constrictor has in his
gastric juices, there is really no manner of reason why we should not
comfortably dispose of as much of an ox as our stomachs will hold, and
one might eat French dishes without the wretchedness of thinking what's
to follow. And this makes me think that those fellows may, after all,
have got some truth in them: some secret that, of course, they require
to be paid for. We distrust each other in this world too much,
Richard. I've felt inclined once or twice--but it's absurd!--If it
only alleviated a few of my sufferings I should be satisfied. I've no
hesitation in saying that I should be quite satisfied if it only did
away with one or two, and left me free to eat and drink as other people
do. Not that I mean to try them. It's only a fancy--Eh? What a thing
health is, my dear boy! Ah! if I were like you! I was in love once!"

"Were you!" said Richard, coolly regarding him.

"I've forgotten what I felt!" Hippias sighed. "You've very much
improved, my dear boy."

"So people say," quoth Richard.

Hippias looked at him anxiously: "If I go to town and get the doctor's
opinion about trying a new course--Eh, Richard? will you come with me? I
should like your company. We could see London together, you know. Enjoy
ourselves," and Hippias rubbed his hands.

Richard smiled at the feeble glimmer of enjoyment promised by his
uncle's eyes, and said he thought it better they should stay where they
were--an answer that might mean anything. Hippias immediately became
possessed by the beguiling project. He went to the baronet, and put the
matter before him, instancing doctors as the object of his journey, not
quacks, of course; and requesting leave to take Richard. Sir Austin was
getting uneasy about his son's manner. It was not natural. His heart
seemed to be frozen: he had no confidences: he appeared to have no
ambition--to