“It seems to me that your combination rests, above all, on the ‘coup de theatre’ of the non-recognition of Florentin by Madame Dammauville. How will you bring this paralytic to court?”
“I depend upon you.”
“And how?”
“You will examine her.”
“I shall have to go to her house!”
“Why not?”
“Because I am not her doctor.”
“You will become so.”
“It is impossible.”
“I do not find it at all impossible that you should be called in consultation. I have not forgotten that your thesis was on the paralyses due to the affection of the spinal cord, and it was remarkable enough for us to discuss it in our ‘parlotte’ of the Rue de Vaugirard. You have, therefore, authority in the matter.”