a vote to give, and they are those
whom the candidates surround, trying to win them.

One of the Academicians who appeared the last at the top of the steps
was a man of great height but bent figure, with hollow cheeks and pale
face lighted by pale blue eyes with a strange expression, both hard and
desolate at the same time. He advanced alone, and his heavy gait and
dragging step gave him the appearance of a man sixty years of age, while
in other ways he retained a certain youthfulness. It was Saniel, twenty
years older.

Without exchanging a bow or a hand-shake with any one, he descended to
the pavement and walked to the boulevard, where he opened the door of a
coups whose interior showed a complete ambulant library--a writing table
with paper, ink, and lamp, pockets full of books and pamphlets.

Just as he was about to enter, a voice stopped him.

He turned; it was one of his old pupils, who had recently become a
physician in the suburb of Gentilly.

"What is it?" asked Saniel.

"I want to ask you to come and assist me in a curious case of spasms,
where your intervention may be decisive."

"Where?"

"At the Maison-Blanche, a poor woman. What day could you give me?"

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes."

"In that case I will go at once. Give the address to my coachman, and
get in with me."

But at this moment a white-haired man dressed in chestnut velvet,
wearing a felt hat and sabots, came toward them, accompanied by two
young men with whom he discoursed in a loud tone while gesticulating.
People turned to look at them, so original was the appearance of old
Brigard, the same man from head to foot that he had always been.

He came to Saniel with outstretched hands, and Saniel, taking off his
hat, received him with marked respect.

"Enchanted to meet you," Brigard said, "for I went to your office
yesterday and did not find you."

"Why did you not send me word beforehand? If you need me I am at your
disposal."

"Thanks, but happily I do not need your advice, neither for myself nor
my family; it was simply that I wished to see you. Arriving at your
house before your office hours, I waited in your reception-room and
several patients came after me--a young woman who appeared to suffer
cruelly, an old lady who was extremely anxious, and lastly a man who
had some nervous disease that would not permit him to sit still. And,
looking at them, I said to myself that as I was only making a friendly
visit I would not remain