theus, "the hand of God is more powerful than that
of science.--HE often strikes down the strong, and preserves the weak,
so that none here can tell when to expect his blows. I can, however,
assure you on my honor, that your daughter, delicate as she is, at this
time has not even a germ of the terrible malady which has ravaged your
hearth. This germ is always in the blood of members of the same family.
Art establishes this, though it can provide no remedy.--This secret
enemy, however," said the physician, with a kind of pride, "before which
all known remedies are powerless, I can perhaps oppose and conquer."

"Tell me, Doctor, tell me!" said the Duke, clasping the Doctor's hands,
"save my child, grant her life, and my fortune is yours."

"Duke," said Matheus, "if I had the honor of a better acquaintance with
you, I would not listen to such language as you have used.--Gold has
little value in my eyes, and reputation no more, for I do not place my
hopes for the future in my profession. Since, however, study has
revealed to me the art of assisting those who suffer, and of saving
those who are in danger, I would esteem it a crime not to do so; and I
promise this art shall be employed in the cure of Mlle. d'Harcourt.

"And," said the Duke, "will this be a secret to me?"

"No, Duke; I will use it in your presence. I will also own that I have
already made use of it, though but slightly, in the case of Mlle.
d'Harcourt; what I have done, satisfies me that I may hope to see her
completely restored."

"It is true;" said the Duke. "The interview and the simple remedies you
prescribed, have sufficed to soothe the sufferings of my daughter. Ah!
Monsieur," added he, clasping the Doctor's hand kindly, "how can I
discharge my obligations towards you?"

"By granting me a boon, invaluable to me, and which all Paris will envy,
and of which I know you are prodigal indeed, your esteem--the respect
of the Duke d'Harcourt--the most honorable and virtuous of men. You see,
Monsieur, I place a great value on my consultations; and few persons
have received so noble a recompense from you."

"Doctor," said the Duke d'Harcourt, with a smile, "in that case you are
already paid; for I know all that you do in Paris, and especially in
this neighborhood. I know that want meets here with a better reception
than opulence, and that you look on all sufferers as having an equal
claim on your attention. You must be aware, that knowing this I have
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