were not to serve curiosity, but an honest desire to aid him.
So he spoke to them with absolute frankness.

When the examination was over, Erasistratus exclaimed to his
professional colleague: "This old woman! Precisely as I would have
prescribed. She ordered the strictest diet with the treatment. She
rejected every strong internal remedy, and forbade him wine, much meat,
and all kinds of seasoning. Our patient was directed to live on milk and
the same simple gifts of Nature which I would have ordered for him. The
herb juice in the clever sorceress's salve proved the best remedy. The
incantations could do no harm. On the contrary, they often produce a
wonderful effect on the mind, and from it proceed further."

Here Erasistratus asked to have a description of the troubles which
still affected Hermon's vision, and the passionate eagerness with which
the leeches gazed into his eyes strengthened the artist's budding hope.
Never had he wished more ardently that Daphne was back at his side.

He also listened with keen attention when the scientists finally
discussed in low tones what they had perceived, and caught the words,
"White scar on the cornea," "leucoma," and "operation." He also heard
Herophilus declare that an injury of the cornea by the flame of the
torch was the cause of the blindness. In the work which led him to the
discovery of the retina in the eye he had devoted himself sedulously to
the organs of sight. This case seemed as if it had been created for his
friend's keen knife.

What expectations this assurance aroused in the half-cured man, who felt
as if the goal was already gained, when, shortly after, Erasistratus,
the greatest physician of his time, offered to make the attempt in
Alexandria to remove, by a few little incisions, what still dimmed his
impaired vision!

Hermon, deeply agitated, thanked the leech, and when Thyone perceived
what was passing in his mind she ventured to ask the question whether
it would not be feasible to perform the beneficent work here, and, if
possible, the next day, and the surgeon was ready to fulfil the wish
of the matron and the sufferer speedily. He would bring the necessary
instruments with him. It only depended upon whether a suitable room
could be found in the crowded city, and Thyone believed that such a one
could not be lacking in the great building at her disposal.

A short conversation with the steward confirmed this opinion.

Then Erasistratus appointed the