her eyes from the burning rays of the
sun. Just in front of her was the window--the curtain of which Doctor
Matheus had drawn aside, and there he stood more beautiful and radiant
than ever. The young girl blushed slightly and looked hastily away, for
the sun probably appeared too bright just then. The Doctor seemed
fascinated by what he had seen, and we cannot say how long his ecstasy
continued. At last a well-known voice exclaimed on the other side of the
door, which was closed even to Mlle. Celestine Crepineau, "Doctor--you
are wanted in the parlor. A gentleman--a patient. He has given me his
card to bring you."

"Very well," said the Doctor, "I am coming."

"But, sir, if you will open the door I will give you his card."

"Keep it," said the Doctor, "as I am coming down and do not need it."

"Yet," said the inquisitive porteress.--"Monsieur may wish to know the
name in advance."

"I do not," said the Doctor, "and hope Mlle. Crepineau that you will go
away."

"My God!" said Mlle. Celestine, terrified at the Doctor's manner. "What
is the matter with my new lodger? Why will he not let me enter his
cabinet? Perhaps though he is cutting up some human body, and has
respect for my sex."

The Doctor left his room, and locked the door carefully; putting the key
in his pocket, he went down. When he entered the room he was amazed to
see who was waiting for him.

"The Duke d'Harcourt here!" said he, bowing respectfully to his visitor.

The Duke said, "My visit should not surprise you, for I came, after all,
only to thank you for your services to my dear Marie."

"Duke," said Doctor Matheus, "your benevolent reception, when I had the
honor to be presented to you, has converted a duty into a pleasure. The
natural interest," added he, with profound emotion, "with which your
daughter inspires all who see her, would make me most proud of her
cure."

"Doctor," said the Duke, looking most earnestly at the physician, "you
inspire me with a confidence I have had in none of your brethren. Your
reply, therefore, to my question, I shall look on as a sentence. Do not
fear to be frank, Doctor, for I am prepared for every misfortune;
already crushed by my sufferings, my heart looks forward to no earthly
happiness. The lives of my two surviving children are the objects of my
own life, but uncertainty is too much for me. Reply therefore, I beg
you, sincerely to me whether the life of my child is in danger."

"Duke," said Doctor Ma