ure; time is
required to produce results and it will be fully a year before the
Viscount can, even under the most favorable circumstances, be thoroughly
restored."

"Your experience entitles your opinion to respect," returned the Count,
with equal coldness, "but still I cannot accept that opinion as final."

"As you please," said the official, haughtily. "After your Jewish
physician, if he really be such, has vainly administered his nostrums
and ineffectually mumbled his incantations, you will be glad enough to
have the regular practitioner of the asylum resume the functions of
which you now see fit so summarily to deprive him."

"Perhaps," answered the Count, smiling. "It is part of my creed never to
despise science in whatever form it may come!"

The director bowed with satirical politeness.

At noon precisely Dr. Absalom arrived. He had discarded his gaudy and
fantastic attire of the previous day and appeared in the ordinary street
dress of a European. If he had seemed imposing to Maximilian at his
house in the Ghetto, he looked still more imposing to him now, shorn as
he was of all oriental accessories and depending for effect upon the
wondrous intellectual aspect of his countenance alone. The only article
of luxury he had about him was a massive gold-headed cane on which his
years caused him to lean heavily.

Monte-Cristo and M. Morrel received him with the utmost courtesy and
deference, but the director hardly noticed him and with difficulty
concealed his disgust. The Hebrew sage, however, was used to the uncivil
manner in which the Italians treated the people of his nation and showed
not the faintest sign of displeasure, though the Count and Maximilian
could scarcely restrain themselves from resenting the official's
insulting behavior.

Without delay Dr. Absalom was conducted to young Massetti's chamber by
the physician who up to that time had attended the patient. He was an
elderly man, but though an Italian showed marked respect for the aged,
noble-looking Hebrew. Monte-Cristo and M. Morrel accompanied the two
savants, the former confident in Dr. Absalom's power to perform his
promise, the latter hoping for his success, yet doubtful of it.

As the party entered the apartment of the maniac the Italian physician
said to his Jewish confrere:

"Dr. Absalom, I would very much like to witness your mode of treatment.
Will you kindly permit me to remain in the room?"

"Certainly," replied the Hebrew. "I hav