"Hear me. You know the high opinion I entertain of your ability and knowledge, and that, from the hour in which you were attached to my household, you have possessed my most unbounded confidence,--never, for one instant, have I doubted your great skill and perfect acquaintance with your profession; but I conjure you, if a consultation be necessary--" "My lord, that would have been my first thought, had I seen the slightest reason for such a step; but, up to the present moment, it would be both useless and unnecessary. And, besides, I should be somewhat tenacious of introducing strangers into the house until I knew whether your orders of yesterday--" "But how has all this happened?" said Rodolph, interrupting the black. "Who saved me from drowning in that horrid cellar? I have a confused recollection of having heard the Chourineur's voice there; was I mistaken?" "Not at all mistaken, my lord. But let the brave fellow, to whom all praise is due, relate the affair in which he was the principal actor himself." "Where is he? Where is he?" The doctor looked about for the recently elected sick-nurse, and at length found him, thoroughly silenced and shamed by his late tumble, ensconced behind the curtains of the bed. "Here he is," said the doctor; "he looks somewhat shamefaced." "Come forward, my brave fellow!" said Rodolph, extending his hand to his preserver. The confusion of the poor Chourineur was still further increased from having, when behind his curtain, heard the black doctor address Rodolph continually as "my lord," or "your royal highness." "Approach, my friend,--my deliverer!" said Rodolph, "and give me your hand." "I beg pardon, sir,--I mean, my lord,--no, highness,--no--" "Call me M. Rodolph, as you used to do; I like it better." "And so do I,--it comes so much easier to one. But be so good as to excuse my hand; I have done so much work lately, that--" "Your hand, I tell you,--your hand!" Overcome by this kind and persevering command, the Chourineur timidly extended his black and horny palm, which Rodolph warmly shook. "Now, then, sit down, and tell me all about it,--how you discovered the cellar. But I think I can guess. The Schoolmaster?" "We have him in safety," said the black doctor. "Yes, he and the Chouette, tied together like two rolls of tobacco. A pair of pretty creatures they look, as ever you would wish to see, and, I doubt not, sick enough of each other's company by this time." "And my poor Murphy! What a selfish wretch must I be to think only of myself! Where is he wounded, David?" "In the right side, my lord; but, fortunately, towards the lower false rib." "Oh, I must have a deep and terrible revenge for this! David, I depend upon your assistance." "My lord knows full well that I am wholly devoted to him, both body and soul," replied the negro, coldly. "But how, my noble fellow, were you able to arrive here in time?" said Rodolph to the Chourineur.