uade me to
do what is kind, but I'm very sorry I can make no use of your good
advice. When the hand has been cut off, you can't heal the stump with a
blister. That cut has severed the joint. Such a mutilated relation--"

At this moment they heard the beat of a horse's hoofs on the forest
road behind them, and, looked back to distinguish the rider, who was
approaching at a rapid trot. "Who's that!" said Toinette, "the doctor?
I'll wager he's following us, because he'll have no rest till he
discovers on what terms we stand toward each other. He's no gentleman,
and has never made any pretensions to being one. His highest idea, his
ambition, and his god, is prudence, which, of course, turns around no
other point than his own miserable advantage. He instantly sees the
weakest side of every man just as in his capacity of doctor, he
searches for the seat of disease, and treats him accordingly. Of course
he hates me; for physically I'm in such perfect health, that his skill
is lost upon me, and whatever else I lack, is inaccessible to his
diagnosis, while he knows I see through him. Beware of him. Even his
frankness is only cunning calculation. Well, Doctor," she called to the
approaching horseman, "have you decided to join the hunt after all?
You'll just be in at the death."

The rider, with a powerful hand, checked his steaming horse directly
before the countess and respectfully raising his oddly shaped
broad-brimmed hat, answered: "Her Excellency is fond of joking. I'm
known to have an aversion to the shedding of blood, except in my trade.
My motive for riding my brown horse out of breath is a diplomatic
mission, on which no one but myself sent me, but which, as a loyal
servant to my employers, I must discharge."

"To the point. Doctor, to the point! You're interrupting a very
interesting conversation. So--?"

"Then I almost regret having undertaken the mission," replied the
little man with an imperceptible expression of sarcastic mischief
hovering around his withered lips. "Their Highnesses the Prince and
Princess, with a train of followers of high and low degree, arrived an
hour ago on their way to Italy, whither His Highness Prince Bataroff
accompanies them. They greatly regretted not finding the family at home
but as they intend to spend the night at the castle, strictly forbade
that any messenger should be sent to the ranger's house to announce
their arrival. The princess instantly retired to the room she occupied