Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/199

Rh would have the strength to see that—a woman who has fallen from the third story! When they bled Baptiste it made me quite ill. Even that was too much for me."

"Very well, send Baptiste," cried Madame de Piennes; "but let me know at once how that poor child is." Fortunately her own physician. Dr. K, arrived as she was giving that order. He came to dine with her, as was his custom every Tuesday, the day of Italian opera.

"Hurry, doctor," she cried to him, without giving him time to put down his walking-stick or lay aside his wadded greatcoat; "Baptiste will lead you two steps from here. A poor young girl has thrown herself out of a window, and is without assistance."

"Out of a window? " said the doctor. "If it was high, probably there is nothing for me to do."

The doctor would have preferred to dine rather than perform an operation, but Madame de Piennes insisted, and upon her promise that the dinner should be delayed he consented to follow Baptiste.

The latter returned in a few minutes in quest of linen, pillows, etc. At the same time he brought the opinion of the doctor.

"It is nothing serious. She will recover, if