nd extravagances,
which it was well for him the attendants did not observe. Perhaps it was
well for the servant that he did not enter while the paroxysm prevailed.
Had this been the case, he might have met with the fate of Lichas, whom
Hercules in his frenzy destroyed.

Before the cloth was laid for supper, he was calm enough to conceal the
disorder of his mind. But he complained of the headache, and desired he
might be next day visited by the physician, to whom he resolved to
explain himself in such a manner, as should make an impression upon him,
provided he was not altogether destitute of conscience and humanity.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

THE KNOT THAT PUZZLES HUMAN WISDOM, THE HAND OF FORTUNE SOMETIMES WILL
UNTIE FAMILIAR AS HER GARTER.

When the doctor made his next appearance in Sir Launcelot's apartment,
the knight addressed him in these words: "Sir, the practice of medicine
is one of the most honourable professions exercised among the sons of
men; a profession which hath been revered at all periods, and in all
nations, and even held sacred in the most polished ages of antiquity.
The scope of it is to preserve the being, and confirm the health of our
fellow-creatures; of consequence, to sustain the blessings of society,
and crown life with fruition. The character of a physician, therefore,
not only supposes natural sagacity, and acquired erudition, but it also
implies every delicacy of sentiment, every tenderness of nature, and
every virtue of humanity. That these qualities are centred in you,
doctor, I would willingly believe. But it will be sufficient for my
purpose, that you are possessed of common integrity. To whose concern I
am indebted for your visits, you best know. But if you understand the
art of medicine, you must be sensible by this time, that, with respect to
me, your prescriptions are altogether unnecessary.

"Come, sir, you cannot--you don't believe that my intellects are
disordered. Yet, granting me to be really under the influence of that
deplorable malady, no person has a right to treat me as a lunatic, or to
sue out a commission, but my nearest kindred.--That you may not plead
ignorance of my name and family, you shall understand that I am Sir
Launcelot Greaves, of the county of York, Baronet; and that my nearest
relation is Sir Reginald Meadows, of Cheshire, the eldest son of my
mother's sister--that gentleman, I am sure, had no concern in seducing me
by false pretences under