“I 'm certain I should if I only understood you aright,” said he, good-naturedly, and by his voice and look at once reassuring her.
“Well, so far, all is settled,” said she, rising from her chair. “And now for this letter; I conclude the sooner it be done the better. When may we hope to get away from this dreary place?”
“Grounsell tells me, by Friday or Saturday next I shall be able for the journey.”
“If it had not been to provoke me, I 'm certain he would have pronounced you quite well ten days ago.”
“You forget, Hester, my own sensations not to say sufferings could scarcely deceive me.”
“On the contrary, Dr. Clarus assured me there is nothing in the world so very deceptive; that pain is only referred to the diseased part by the brain, and has no existence whatever, and that there is no such thing as pain at all. He explained it perfectly, and I understood it all at the time. He is so clever, Dr. Clarus, and gives people such insight into the nature of their malady, that it really becomes quite interesting to be ill under his care. I remember when William, the footman, broke his arm, Clarus used to see him every day; and to show that no union, as it is called, could take place so long as motion continued, he would gently grate the fractured ends of the bone together.”
“And was William convinced of the no-pain doctrine?” cried Sir Stafford, his cheek flashing with momentary anger.
“The ignorant creature actually screamed out every time he was touched; but Clarus said it would take at least two centuries to conquer the prejudices of the common people.”
“Not improbable, either!” said Sir Stafford.
“Dear me, how very late it is,” cried she, suddenly; “and we dine at six!” And with a graceful motion of the hand, she said, “By-by!” and left the room.