Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 5.djvu/27

Rh is better for opening and preparing the digestive organs, the most important functions of the body. . .. And now to table. Why do we not speak in German? You come from Koenigsberg, I from Memel; but I took my degree at Jena. We shall be more at ease in that way, and the servants, who only know Polish and Russian, will not understand us." We ate at first in silence; then, after having taken our first glass of Madeira, I inquired of the doctor if the Count were often inconvenienced by the indisposition which deprived us of his presence that night.

"Yes and no," was the doctor's answer. "It depends upon what expeditions he takes."

"How so?"

"When he takes the road to Rosienie, for instance, he comes back with headache and in a savage temper."

"I have been to Rosienie myself without such an experience."

"It depends, Professor," he replied, laughing, "on whether you are in love."

I sighed, thinking of Mlle. Gertrude Weber.

"Does the Count's fiancée, then, live at Rosienie?" I said.

"Yes, in that neighbourhood; but I can not say whether she is affianced to him. She is a