uestion. Another _ruse_ was, to hammer at some titled
mansion, and inquire for another titled person, by mistake. This
occupied the morning; after which Doctor Plausible returned home.
During the first month the night-bell was rung two or three times a week
by the watchman, who was fee'd for his trouble; but after that period it
increased its duties, until it was in motion once, if not twice, every
night, and his disturbed neighbours wished Doctor Plausible and his
extensive practice at the devil. The carriage also was now rattled to
the door in a hurry, and Doctor Plausible was seen to enter with his
case of instruments, and drive off with rapidity, sometimes twice a day.
In the mean time Mrs Plausible did her part, as she extended her
acquaintance with her neighbours. She constantly railed against a
medical husband; declared that Doctor Plausible was never at home, and
it was impossible to say at what hour they might dine. The tables also
were strewed with the cards of great and fashionable people, obtained by
Doctor Plausible from a celebrated engraver's shop, by a douceur to the
shopman, when the master was absent. At last Doctor Plausible's
instruments were used in good earnest; and, although not known or even
heard of in the fashionable world, he was sent for by the would-be
fashionables, because they imagined that he was employed by their
betters. Now it so happened that in the same street there lived another
medical man, almost a prototype of Doctor Plausible, only not quite so
well off in the world. His name was Doctor Feasible. His practice was
not extensive, and he was incumbered with a wife and large family. He
also very naturally wished to extend his practice and his reputation;
and, after many fruitless attempts, he at last hit upon a scheme which
he thought promised to be successful.

"My dear," said he, one morning to his wife, "I am thinking of getting
up a _conversazione_."

"A _conversazione_, my love!--why, is not that a very expensive affair?"

"Why, not very. But if it brings me practice, it will be money well
laid out."

"Yes, my love, if it does, and if we had the money to lay out."

"Something must be done. I have hardly a patient left. I have an idea
that it will succeed. Go, my dear, and make up this prescription, and
let the boy take it to Mrs Bluestone's. I wish I had a couple of dozen
of patients like her.--I write her prescriptions, take my fee, and then,
that I may be