"Let me introduce to you my foster-son, Doctor Fritz, from the Black Forest," he answered proudly. "Now we shall see a change, Master Tobie. Now that Fritz has come the abominable fits will be put an end to. If I had but been listened to earlier--but better late than never." Marie Lagoutte was still watching us, and her scrutiny seemed satisfactory, for, addressing the major-domo, she said-- "Now, Monsieur Offenloch, hand the doctor a chair; move about a little, do! There you stand with your mouth wide open, just like a fish. Ah, sir, these Germans!" And the good man, jumping up as if moved by a spring, came to take off my cloak. "Permit me, sir." "You are very kind, my dear lady." "Give it to me. What terrible weather! Ah, monsieur, what a dreadful country this is!" "So monseigneur is neither better nor worse," said Sperver, shaking the snow off his cap; "we are not too late, then. Ho, Kasper! Kasper!" A little man, who had one shoulder higher than the other, and his face spotted with innumerable freckles, came out of the chimney corner. "Here I am!" "Very good; now get ready for this gentleman the bedroom at the end of the long gallery--Hugh's room; you know which I mean." "Yes, Sperver, in a minute." "And you will take with you, as you go, the doctor's knapsack. Knapwurst will give it you. As for supper--" "Never you mind. That is my business." "Very well, then. I will depend upon you." The little man went out, and Gideon, after taking off his cape, left us to go and inform the young countess of my arrival. I was rather overpowered with the attentions of Marie Lagoutte. "Give up that place of yours, Sebalt," she cried to the kennel-keeper. "You are roasted enough by this time. Sit near the fire, monsieur le docteur; you must have very cold feet. Stretch out your legs; that's the way." Then, holding out her snuff-box to me-- "Do you take snuff?" "No, dear madam, with many thanks." "That is a pity," she answered, filling both nostrils. "It is the most delightful habit." She slipped her snuff-box back into her apron pocket, and went on-- "You are come not a bit too soon. Monseigneur had his second attack yesterday; it was an awful attack, was it not, Monsieur Offenloch?" "Furious indeed," answered the head butler gravely. "It is not surprising," she continued, "when a man takes no nourishment. Fancy, monsieur, that for two days he has never tasted broth!" "Nor a glass of wine," added the major-domo, crossing his hands over his portly, well-lined person. As it seemed expected of me, I expressed my surprise, on which Tobias Offenloch came to sit at my right hand, and said-- "Doctor, take my advice; order him a bottle a day of Marcobrunner." "And," chimed in Marie Lagoutte, "a wing of a chicken at every meal. The poor man is frightfully thin."