The Prince, with tears in his eyes, took the Doctor's hand, and said something to him in his own language.
"He says that he can never repay you for what you have done to-night, and that you may command him for anything in his power," interpreted the Count.
"Say to him that I am more than repaid for anything that I have done. Let him give all the glory to God."
After ascertaining that the Princess still slept quietly, the Doctor and Count retired for the remaining hours of the night.
CHAPTER XVII.
Farewell to Beauty and the Beast.
The royal patient slept soundly until eight o'clock the following morning, or six consecutive hours. This was so entirely new and different from anything she had experienced for a very long time, that nothing could exceed her own and the astonishment of everyone who was acquainted with the facts. Long and painful had been her nights, sleepless and full of misery, unless under the influence of a narcotic. And, as we said before, she had reached a point where her system would endure no more of crude drugging. She always awoke unrefreshed and miserable from these unnatural, forced sleeps. So when she awoke this morning, refreshed and rested, her gratitude was boundless.
Dr. Jones received her grateful expressions with the simple, modest dignity that is characteristic of the good and intelligent the world over. He made now a critical examination of the heart, and found it incurably affected. And there were complications of the digestive organs, etc., that we need not stop to mention. He acquainted the Prince with the conditions he had found, and showed him why she could not be cured. But he assured his royal patron, that she might be kept comfortable, and her life indefinitely prolonged by treating her case symptomatically as occasion should require.
He remained at the castle several days. In two weeks the royal lady who had been devoted to immediate death by that school of medicine which arrogates unto itself the terms, "Liberal," "Regular," and "Scientific," walked in her garden!