me, or
quiet for you, and I am thinking it is quiet for you."

"Inasmuch," said the Doctor, "as my most judicious speeches seem to
inflame your passions, sir, I am of the opinion that a perfect silence
on my part becomes almost necessary, and, to further this end, I would
recommend that you refrain from making interrogations, or otherwise
promulgating opportunities, when an expression of candid opinion seems
expected and desired."

"You've hit it," said I. "We will have no more interrogations.
However, I would much like to know how you became so intimate with
Lord Westport's family."

Doctor Chord blushed with something of his earlier manner. "'Tis a
matter which I did not expect to have leap at me out of the darkness
in this fashion," he said bashfully. "However, I am convinced of how
well you know these people, and I will traffic no more with hollow
pretence. As you know, I deal much in chemical knowledge, which I am
able to spread to almost every branch of human use and need."

"'Tis an ill work," said I slowly. "I doubt if Father Donovan would
care to hear you be speaking in this way. He always objected to
scientific improvements as things which do harm to the Church."

"In regard to the estimable friend you mention," said the Doctor, "I
unhesitatingly state my profound assurances of respect."

"Quite so," I answered. "He will be pleased to hear of it. And now we
will return to the other matter."

"I will obediently proceed," said he. "Five years back the Countess of
Westport was thrown from her carriage. Physicians rushed to her
rescue. I too appeared, being for the time out for a walk. They
wished to immediately bleed her, but I waved them aside and,
recognizing me as a figure in the street world of science, they fell
back abashed. I prescribed a small drink of hot rum. The lady took it.
Almost immediately she recovered. She offered me a guinea. I refused
curtly. She inquired here and there for my condition. Afterward she
apologized to me for not offering me more than a guinea. Since that
time we have been warm friends. She knows me as a great scientist who
came to her assistance in time of trouble when numerous quacks wished
to bleed her, and I overpowered them and gave her a drink of rum. 'Tis
true that after she reached her own bed the Earl's physician bled her,
but she did not seem to appreciate it although he drew twenty-five
ounces, I think. But she has remained always grateful for the hot
rum."