But a light seemed to break in on Dr. Short. "Ah! you mean Mr. Osmond: a
surgeon. A very respectable man, a most respectable man. I do not know a
more estimable person--in his grade of the profession--than my good
friend Mr. Osmond. And so he gives opinions in medical cases, does he?"
Dr. Short paused, apparently to realise this phenomenon in the world of
Mind. He resumed in a different tone: "You may have misunderstood him.
Hyperaemia exists, of course; since he says so. But Hyperaemia is not a
complaint; it is a symptom. Of biliary derangement. My worthy friend
looks at disorders from a mental point; very natural: his interest lies
that way, perhaps you are aware: but profounder experience proves that
mental sanity is merely one of the results of bodily health: and I am
happy to assure you that, the biliary canal once cleared, and the
secretions restored to the healthy habit by these prescriptions, the
Hyperaemia, and other concomitants of hepatic derangement, will disperse,
and leave our interesting patient in the enjoyment of her natural
intelligence, her friends' affectionate admiration, and above all, of a
sound constitution. Ladies, I have the honour" and the Doctor eked out
this sentence by rising.

"Oh, thank you, Dr. Short," said Mrs. Dodd, rising within him; "you
inspire me with confidence and gratitude. As if under the influence of
these feelings only, she took Dr. Short's palm and pressed it. Of the two
hands, which met for a moment then, one was soft and melting, the other a
bunch of bones; but both were very white, and so equally adroit, that a
double fee passed without the possibility of a bystander suspecting it.

For the benefit of all young virgins afflicted like Julia Dodd, here are
the Doctor's prescriptions:--

FOR MISS DODD.