''Thank you a thousand times,' I said, 'but I feel perfectly well this morning.'

''That is no matter—'

''No matter! what is no matter?'

''Why, no matter how well you fancy you feel; this is a sovereign remedy, so just drink it off to please me.'

''For mercy's sake, Señora, put down your medicine, sit down in the rocking-chair and draw near to the bedside, for I have several questions to ask.

''How long has my present neighbor lodged with you, Señora,' said I, when she had duly ensconced herself. She gazed inquiringly at me, but when I pointed to the door behind her, she replied, with apparent nonchalance:

''Somewhere about three months.'

''And who is he?'

''That is a question I can not answer?'

''Why not?'