es,"--a threat so terrible for
those to whom the hospital is the sole and last refuge,--Jeanne
submitted to a public scrutiny, which lasted a long time, very long, for
Doctor Griffon analysed and explained every symptom; and then the most
studious of the pupils declared their wish to unite practice with
theory, and also examine the patient. The end of this scene was that
poor Jeanne felt such extreme emotion that she fell into a nervous
crisis, for which Doctor Griffon gave an extra prescription.

The round continued, and the doctor soon reached the bed of Mlle. Claire
de Fermont, a victim, like her mother, to the cupidity of Jacques
Ferrand.

Mlle, de Fermont, dressed in a cap of the hospital, was leaning her head
languidly on the bolster of the bed. In spite of the ravages of her
malady, there might be detected on her open and sweet countenance the
traces of a beauty full of distinction. After a night of keen anguish,
the poor girl had fallen into a kind of feverish stupor, and when the
doctor and his scientific train entered the ward she was not aroused by
the noise.

"Another first subject, gentlemen," said the prince of science.
"Disease, a slow nervous fever; if the receiving surgeon is not mistaken
in the symptoms, this is a real godsend. For a long time I have desired
a slow nervous fever, for that is not an ordinary complaint amongst the
poor. These affections are usually produced after severe trouble in the
social position of the subject, and I need hardly add that the higher
the position of the patient, the more deep is the disease. It is,
moreover, a complaint the more remarkable from its peculiar
characteristics. It is traced to the very remotest antiquity, and the
writings of Hippocrates have no doubt reference to it. This fever, I
repeat, has almost always been produced from the most violent grief, and
grief is as old as the world. Yet, strange to say, before the eighteenth
century, this disease was never accurately described by any author; it
was Huxham, whom the science of medicine of the age so highly
honours,--Huxham, I say, who first defined accurately nervous fever; and
yet it is a malady of the olden time," added the doctor, jocosely. "Eh,
eh, eh! It belongs to the great, antique, and illustrious family of
_febris_, whose origin is lost in the darkness of ages. But we may be
rejoicing too soon; let us see if really we have the good fortune to
possess here a sample of this curious affection; it w