"No, sir."
"I have made no other appointment for to-day, and I am going out almost
immediately. If any patients should call casually tell them I cannot
possibly see them to-day. Ask them to make an appointment. But I cannot
see any one to-day under any circumstances."
"Yes, sir."
Dr. Levillier took his way upstairs, made a careful toilet, selected from
his absurd array of boots a pair perfectly polished, put them on, took
his hat and gloves, sighed once again heavily, almost as a dog sighs
preparatory to its sleep, and turned to go downstairs. He forgot for the
moment that he was prepared to watch Valentine. Perhaps, indeed, his long
period of absence had dulled in his memory the recollection of any
apparent change in his friend. For at this moment of fatigue he only
recalled Valentine's expression of purity and high-souled health, and
the atmosphere of lofty serenity in which he seemed habitually to dwell.
The doctor wanted relief. How Valentine's presence would refresh him
after this dreary array of patients, after the continuous murmurs of
their plaintive voices! As he opened his bedroom door he perceived his
man-servant mounting the stairs.
"Lawler, I can't see any one," he said, more hastily than usual.
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