The Counts Millions | Page 6

Finding his
endeavors fruitless, the doctor at last declared that all immediate
remedies were exhausted, that "the women" might be allowed to return,
and that nothing now remained but to wait for the effect of the remedies
he was about to prescribe, and which they must procure from the
nearest chemist.
Any other man would have been touched by the agony of entreaty
contained in the glance that Mademoiselle Marguerite cast upon the
physician as she returned into the room; but it did not affect him in the
least. He calmly said, "I cannot give my decision as yet."
"My God!" murmured the unhappy girl; "oh, my God, have mercy
upon me!"
But the doctor, copying his model, had stationed himself near the
fireplace, with his elbow leaning on the mantel-shelf, in a graceful,
though rather pompous attitude. "Now," he said, addressing his remarks
to M. Casimir, "I desire to make a few inquiries. Is this the first time
the Count de Chalusse has had such an attack?"
"Yes, sir--at least since I have been in attendance upon him."
"Very good. That is a chance in our favor. Tell me--have you ever
heard him complain of vertigo, or of a buzzing in his ears?"
"Never."
Mademoiselle Marguerite seemed inclined to volunteer some remark,
but the doctor imposed silence upon her by a gesture, and continued his
examination. "Is the count a great eater?" he inquired. "Does he drink
heavily?"
"The count is moderation itself, monsieur, and he always takes a great
deal of water with his wine."
The doctor listened with an air of intent thoughtfulness, his head
slightly inclined forward, his brow contracted, and his under lip puffed
out, while from time to time he stroked his beardless chin. He was

copying his master. "The devil!" he said, sotto voce. "There must be
some cause for such an attack, however. Nothing in the count's
constitution predisposes him to such an accident----" Then, suddenly
turning toward Mademoiselle Marguerite: "Do you know,
mademoiselle, whether the count has experienced any very violent
emotion during the past few days?"
"Something occurred this very morning, which seemed to annoy him
very much."
"Ah! now we have it," said the doctor, with the air of an oracle. "Why
did you not tell me all this at first? It will be necessary for you to give
me the particulars, mademoiselle."
The young girl hesitated. The servants were dazed by the doctor's
manner; but Mademoiselle Marguerite was far from sharing their awe
and admiration. She would have given anything to have had the regular
physician of the household there instead of him! As for this coarse
examination in the presence of all these servants, and by the bedside of
a man who, in spite of his apparent unconsciousness, was, perhaps, able
to hear and to comprehend, she looked upon it as a breach of delicacy,
even of propriety.
"It is of the most urgent importance that I should be fully informed of
these particulars," repeated the physician peremptorily.
After such an assertion, further hesitation was out of the question.
Mademoiselle Marguerite seemed to collect her thoughts, and then she
sadly said: "Just as we sat down to breakfast this morning, a letter was
handed to the count. No sooner had his eyes fallen upon it, than he
turned as white as his napkin. He rose from his seat and began to walk
hastily up and down the dining- room, uttering exclamations of anger
and sorrow. I spoke to him, but he did not seem to hear me. However,
after a few moments, he resumed his seat at the table, and began to
eat----"
"As usual?"
"He ate more than usual, monsieur. Only I must tell you that it seemed
to me he was scarcely conscious of what he was doing. Four or five
times he left the table, and then came back again. At last, after quite a
struggle, he seemed to come to some decision. He tore the letter to
pieces, and threw the pieces out of the window that opens upon the
garden."

Mademoiselle Marguerite expressed herself with the utmost simplicity,
and there was certainly nothing particularly extraordinary in her story.
Still, those around her listened with breathless curiosity, as though they
were expecting some startling revelation, so much does the human
mind abhor that which is natural and incline to that which is
mysterious.
Without seeming to notice the effect she had produced, and addressing
herself to the physician alone, the girl continued: "After the letter was
destroyed, M. de Chalusse seemed himself again. Coffee was served,
and he afterward lighted a cigar as usual. However, he soon let it go out.
I dared not disturb him by any remarks; but suddenly he said to me: 'It's
strange, but I feel very uncomfortable.' A moment passed,