“Thanks, but happily I do not need your advice, neither for myself nor my family; it was simply that I wished to see you. Arriving at your house before your office hours, I waited in your reception-room and several patients came after me--a young woman who appeared to suffer cruelly, an old lady who was extremely anxious, and lastly a man who had some nervous disease that would not permit him to sit still. And, looking at them, I said to myself that as I was only making a friendly visit I would not remain and prolong the waiting of these unfortunates who counted the minutes, so I came away.” “May I ask to what do I owe the honor of this visit?” The two young men who accompanied Brigard, and Saniel’s old pupil discreetly withdrew. “The desire to present you my congratulations. When I learned of your candidature to the Academy of Medicine I said to myself: Here is one who has no chance; friend Saniel has originality and force; he has succeeded brilliantly; but these qualities are not exactly academic. I was deceived. You have broken open the doors, which is the only way that I understand of entering these places. That is why I congratulate you. And, besides, I did you wrong formerly--” “Wrong? You?” “I accused you of believing yourself stronger than life; in truth you were. My compliments!” After warmly pressing Saniel’s hands, he went on his way with his two disciples, preaching to them. The young doctor approached Saniel. “He is an original,” he said. “A happy man!” was the only reply. ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: