commune, has shocked our peaceable and honest neighborhood. I
understand and excuse your feverish emotion, your natural
indignation. As well as you, my friends, more than you--I cherished
and esteemed the noble Count de Tremorel, and his virtuous wife. We
mourn them together--"

"I assure you," said Dr. Gendron to M. Plantat, "that the symptoms
you describe are not uncommon after pleurisy. From the acute state,
the inflammation passes to the chronic state, and becomes complicated
with pneumonia."

"But nothing," pursued the mayor, "can justify a curiosity, which
by its importunate attempts to be satisfied, embarrasses the
investigation, and is, at all events, a punishable interference
with the cause of justice. Why this unwonted gathering? Why these
rumors and noises? These premature conjectures?"

"There were several consultations," said M. Plantat, "which did not
have favorable results. Sauvresy suffered altogether strange and
unaccountable tortures. He complained of troubles so unwonted, so
absurd, if you'll excuse the word, that he discouraged all the
conjectures of the most experienced physicians."

"Was it not R---, of Paris, who attended him?"

"Exactly. He came daily, and often remained overnight. Many times
I have seen him ascending the principal street of the village, with
troubled countenance, as he went to give his prescription to the
apothecary.