he patient. The doctor looked at the young girl. Seated a
few feet from her, he placed his hands in front of Marie's brow, and
then lowering them slowly, made some magnetic passes, seeming to direct
his action to the gastric regions where she suffered most. Marie did not
seem at all affected by the operation.

While Matheus was doing thus the Marquise, who sat in front of the
doctor, felt her brow grow heavy, her eyes close, and a deep
stupefaction take possession of her. She soon felt that sleep was
overpowering her, and after a few attempts to resist it, her head sunk
on her bosom, and leaning back in her chair, she was completely
overpowered.

"My daughter is sick," said the Prince, hurrying to Aminta.

"No, sir," said the physician coldly, "she only sleeps."

"She sleeps," said all who witnessed the scene, and who were evidently
surprised.

THE SOMNAMBULIST.

"She sleeps!" said Matheus, pointing to Aminta, "and to fall so suddenly
into that state when I did not intend it, shows her to be very
impressionable and nervous."

"The Prince," said the Marquis, "has often told me she is a
somnambulist."

"I am no longer amazed," said Von Apsberg, "at the spontaneity of her
sleep."

"Is it true," said the Prince, "that somnambulists have the power of
being able to see what is taking place in remote spots--that they can
transport themselves to remote places and accompany the persons who are
pointed out to them?"

"All these phenomena are real," replied the doctor, "but they demand the
most perfect lucidity in the person magnetized."

"And can," asked the Duke, "such experiments be made without
inconvenience or danger to the subjects?"

"Certainly."

"Pardieu," said the Prince, "I would like the doctor to question my
daughter."

"About what?" said Matheus.

"Something interesting to us all. For a month we have had no news from
my son, and are becoming uneasy about him."

"And do you wish," said the doctor, "to know what the Marquis de
Maulear is engaged in now?"

"Exactly," said the Prince.

"Stop," said Rene, "I object. There is no reason why a wife should know
what her husband is about when he is three hundred leagues away. The
devil! That is dangerous, and the Marquise might some day regret it."

"Now you see," said Marie, with her soft voice, "it would be dangerous
for her--she would not like it."

"I do not fear that," said the Vicomte, "but I vow there would be no
marriages possible, if wom