the only remedies, or, to speak more correctly, the only
palliatives. As for cure, I am one of the skeptics. If you have the
diathesis, you have the danger of exposure always, as in consumption."

"An occasion like this," remarked the other, "is to one with a
dypso-maniac diathesis like a draft of cold, damp air on the exposed
chest of a delicate girl who has the seeds of consumption in her lungs.
Is it not so, doctor?"

"Yes, yes."

"There are over three hundred persons here to-night."

"Not less."

"In so large a company, taking society as we have it to-day, is it
likely that we have none here with a hereditary or acquired love of
drink?"

"Scarcely possible," replied Dr. Angier.

"How large do you think the percentage?"

"I have no means of knowing; but if we are to judge by the large army
of drunkards in the land, it must be fearfully great."

"Then we cannot invite to our houses fifty or a hundred guests, and
give them as much wine and spirits as they care to drink, without
seriously hurting some of them. I say nothing of the effect upon
unvitiated tastes; I refer only to those with diseased appetites who
made happen to be present."

"It will be bad for them, certainly. Such people should stay at home."

And saying this, Dr. Angier turned from the two gentlemen to speak with
a professional friend who came toward him at the moment.

CHAPTER XII.

"THE doctor likes his glass of wine," remarked one of the gentlemen as
Dr. Angier left them.

"Is that so?"

"Didn't you observe his heightened color and the gleam in his eyes?"

"I noticed something unusual in his manner, but did not think it the
effect of wine."

"He is a reticent man, with considerable of what may be called
professional dignity, and doesn't often let himself down to laymen as
he did just now."

"There wasn't much letting down, that I could see."

"Perhaps not; but professional pride is reserved and sensitive in some
persons. It hasn't much respect for the opinions of non-experts, and is
chary of discussion with laymen. Dr. Angier is weak, or peculiar if you
please, in this direction. I saw that he was annoyed at your reply to
his remark that you do not cure a thirsty man by withholding water. It
was a little thing, but it showed his animus. The argument was against
him, and it hurt his pride. As I said, he likes his glass of wine, and
if he does not take care will come to like it too well. A doctor has no
more immunity