The Price He Paid — page 130: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A NEW PATIENT. 121 and at a loss what to do when he called, for he with- drew at once on finding that a prescription had already been given, and he received the excuses my father has since made him very coolly indeed. As I felt better the very day after I began your medi- cine, I thought—well, I have just gone on follow- ing your instructions.” “Keep to that,” said Max, dryly. “There can be nothing treasonable in a bottle of medicine. The councilor himself must admit so much.” They had now reached the Castle-hill, and Agnes stopped, confidently expecting that her companion would here leave her; but he merely remarked: “You are going through the Castle-hill gardens, I suppose. That is my way, too,” and remained by her side, looking as though it were the most simple and natural thing in the world for him to bear her _ company. The young girl glanced timidly and anxiously up at him. Her shyness would not allow her to de- cline his escort, so she resigned herself to the inevit- able, and they walked on together. “As regards my present patient,” the young sur- geon recommenced; “her condition is precarious no doubt, but not altogether hopeless. Perhaps we may yet be able to preserve her to her family. From the poor woman’s expressions, I gather that you have already made her frequent visits.” “We heard of the family’s distressed circum- stances,” answered Agnes. “The husband oc- casionally does some work for the chancellery, and my father knows him to be industrious and deserv- ing; so I determined I would go and see the invalid, to give her, at least, some spiritual consolation.” “Spiritual consolation is quite superfluous at pres- ent,” said Max. in his rough way. “Strong beef- tea.and nourishing wine would be of a great deal more use.” Fraulein Agnes seemed to execute one of those rapid retreats which at their first meeting had marked her horror of his impious speeches; but on this occasion she thought better of it, and held her Eomichboo “S (E(0)