hat will be trying to make him notice them."

"'Tis true, my modesty is easily alarmed. But, Anastasie, the door
opens, I tremble with dread of what we are about to witness; no doubt
the most hideous looking people, and all sorts of dreadful noises,
rattling of chains, and grinding of teeth."

The door being opened admitted them into a long courtyard, planted with
rows of trees, under which benches were placed. On each side was a
well-constructed and spacious portico, or covered stone terrace, with
which a range of large, airy cells communicated. A number of men, all
alike clad in a gray dress, were walking, talking, or conversing in this
pleasant retreat, while others were seated on the benches, enjoying the
refreshing shade and fresh open air.

At the sight of Doctor Herbin a number of the unfortunate lunatics
pressed around him, with every manifestation of joy and delight,
extending to him their hands with an expression of grateful confidence,
to which he cordially responded, by saying:

"Good day--good day, my worthy fellows! I am glad to see you all so well
and happy."

Some of the poor lunatics, too far from the doctor to be able to seize
his hand, ventured, with a sort of timid hesitation, to offer theirs to
the persons who were with him.

"Good morning, friends," said Germain, shaking hands in a manner so
cordial as to fill the unfortunate beings with happiness.

"Are these the mad patients?" inquired Madame Georges.

"Nearly the worst belonging to the establishment," answered the doctor,
smiling; "they are permitted to be together during the day, but at night
they are locked up in the cells you see there."

"Can it be possible that these men are really mad! But when are they
violent?"

"Generally at the first outbreak of their malady, when they are brought
here. After a short time the soothing treatment they experience, with
the society of their companions, calms and amuses them, so that their
paroxysms become milder and less frequent, until at length, by the
blessing of God, they recover their senses."

"What are those individuals talking so earnestly about?" inquired Madame
Georges. "One of them seems referring to a blind man, who, in addition
to the loss of sight, seems likewise deprived of speech and reason. Have
you such a one among your patients, or is the existence of this person
but a mere coinage of the brain?"

"Unhappily, madame, it is a fact but too true, and the history connected
wit