“Mind, sir, you insult my sister!”
“Oh, your sister? excuse me, captain, but your air of mystery, the hour of your addressing me and the place, all led me into error which I deplore.”
“Stay, sir; you think that Mdlle. de Taverney has a lover—— ”
“Captain Taverney, I have not said a word of the sort to the Dauphiness, to your father, or to you—press me no more.”
“On the contrary, we must speak of this. And yet it is impossible. I should have to give up all the religion of my life: it is accusing an angel—it is defying heaven! Doctor, let me require you to approve this. Science may err.”
“Seldom.”
“But, doctor, promise me that you will come and see her when you return from the Dauphiness? it is the boon the victim would not be refused by the executioner. You will see her again?”
“It is useless; but I should like to be mistaken. Captain, I will come and see your sister to-night.”
Dr. Louis was one of those grave and honorable men for whom science is a holy thing and who study religiously. In a materialistic age he studied mental maladies: under the husk of the practitioner he had a heart and that was why he told Philip that he hoped he had erred.
That was why, too, he came to make a more full examination and was true to his appointment.