or is with him."

She threw open the door more widely, and stepped back, so that the
greasy garments of the visitor might not touch her dress. He passed her
with an abject bow, and crossed the little sitting-room with the air of
a man who perfectly understands his way. He did not knock at the door
of the bedroom, but went straight in; there a singular spectacle at once
arrested his attention. Paul, with a very pale face, was seated on the
bed, while Hortebise was attentively examining his bare shoulder. The
whole of Paul's right arm and shoulder was a large open wound, which
seemed to have been caused by a burn or scald, and must have been
extremely painful. The doctor was bending over him, applying a cooling
lotion to the injured place with a small piece of sponge. He turned
sharply round on Daddy Tantaine's entrance; and so accustomed were these
men to read each other's faces at a glance that Hortebise saw at once
what had happened; for Tantaine's expression plainly said, "Is Flavia
mad to be here?" while the eyes of Hortebise answered, "She may be, but
I could not help it."

Paul turned, too, and greeted the old man with an exclamation of
delight.

"Come here," said he merrily, "and just see to what a wretched state I
have been reduced between the doctor and M. Mascarin."

Tantaine examined the wound carefully. "Are you quite sure," asked he,
"that not only will it deceive the Duke, who will see but with our eyes,
but also those of his wife, and perhaps of his medical man?"

"We will hoodwink the lot of them."

"And how long must we wait," asked the old man, "until the place skins
over, and assumes the appearance of having been there from childhood?"

"In a month's time Paul can be introduced to the Duke de Champdoce."

"Are you speaking seriously?"

"Listen to me. The scar will not be quite natural then, but I intend to
subject it to various other modes of treatment."

The dressing was now over, and Paul's shirt being readjusted, he was
permitted to lie down again.

"I am quite willing to remain here forever," said he, "as long as I
am allowed to retain the services of the nurse that I have in the next
room, and who, I am sure, is waiting with the greatest eagerness for
your departure."

Hortebise fumed, and cast a glance at Paul which seemed to say, "Be
silent;" but the conceited young man paid no heed to it.

"How long has this charming nurse been with you?" asked Tantaine in an
unnatural voice.