"And when she had gone,--fine, proud, beautiful creature,--what then?" "I sailed as mate in a Spanish ship, trading with South America and ports on the West Coast; for a year or two I was in the counting-house of Montufars, a trader at New Orleans. Three times I crossed the mountains and desert with fur-buying trains, to California; and, on the same errand, I've navigated the Mississippi and tributaries to places, so they've told me, where white men had not been seen." "You _would_ do that," said the apothecary, nodding his glittering head, "As a boy you always loved to venture where no one had been before you." He looked at the young man with his manner of mild attention. "And now you've come back to where you were born," he said. "To stay, I hope; to take your place in the business of your grandfather." Anthony shook his head doubtingly. "I don't know as to that," he replied. "It's true I have no ties in New Orleans; and I will do as well in one place as another. But my uncle is a man of sharp-cut achievements, and it may be that he'll be content enough if I keep my distance." And, though Anthony laughed at this, his chin went out in a way it had. "If he's of that frame of mind I'll be willing to do so; for I have affairs enough of my own to keep me busy, and a little effort will add to them from time to time." Here the shop door was heard to open and shut; a brisk step sounded, and a gentleman of immaculate dress entered the rear room. "I ask your pardon, Mr. Dent," said this personage, seeing Anthony. "It is no matter," said the apothecary. "Come in, Dr. King. I'm chatting with an old friend; that's all." Dr. King smiled and nodded to the young man. "Physicians," said he, "are sometimes more urgent in their ways than most; but then their affairs are of a nature that frequently requires it." "I can well understand that, sir," said Anthony. The apothecary gave to Dr. King several small packets done in white paper. "_Marrubrium vulgare_," said he. "_Cynoglossum officinale._" "Quite right," said Dr. King. "I am glad you have them ready, for I am on my way to visit Mr. Moss now." "He has a bleeding of the lungs, I am told," said Christopher, with his shining head to one side. "That is a serious condition; and of the two remedies I would venture to maintain that _Cynoglossum officinale_ contains the most virtue." He turned to Anthony. "Hound's-tongue," said he. "Do you remember? The leaves are hoary, with soft down on both sides; the flowers are in clusters--" "And the fruit," said Anthony, "a depressed achenium." "Quite right," said the apothecary, pleasure in his face. "_Quite_ right." Dr. King laughed. "So," said he, to Anthony, "you, too, have been inducted into the mysteries of Hygeia."