Part 13 (1/2)
CHAPTER XI.
MYSTERIOUS PROCEEDINGS.
The doctor pointed to a chair, looked at his watch, and said:--
”I hope you have had a pleasant journey. Arrived this morning?”
There was not the faintest gleam of recognition on his face. Not a smile; not a glance; nothing but the easy politeness of a stranger to a stranger.
”N--not exactly,” I faltered. ”Yesterday morning, sir.”
”Ah, indeed! Spent the day in sight-seeing, I dare say. Admire Paris?”
Too much astonished to speak, I took refuge in a bow.
”Not found any lodgings yet, I presume?” asked the doctor, mending a pen very deliberately.
”N--not yet, sir.”
”I concluded so The English do not seek apartments on Sunday. You observe the day very strictly, no doubt?”
Blus.h.i.+ng and confused, I stammered some incoherent words and sat twirling my hat, the very picture of remorse.
”At what hotel have you put up?” he next inquired, without appearing to observe my agitation.
”The--the Hotel des Messageries.”
”Good, but expensive. You must find a lodging to-day.”
I bowed again.
”And, as your father's representative, I must take care that you procure something suitable, and are not imposed upon. My valet shall go with you.”
He rang the bell, and the sad-colored footman appeared on the threshold.
”Desire Brunet to be in readiness to walk out with this gentleman,” he said, briefly, and the servant retired.
”Brunet,” he continued, addressing me again, ”is faithful and sagacious.
He will instruct you on certain points indispensable to a resident in Paris, and will see that you are not ill-accommodated or overcharged. A young man has few wants, and I should infer that a couple of rooms in some quiet street will be all that you require?”
”I--I am very grateful.”
He waved down my thanks with an air of cold but polite authority; took out his note-book and pencil; (I could have sworn to that ma.s.sive gold pencil!) and proceeded to question me.
”Your age, I think,” said he, ”is twenty-one?”
”Twenty, sir.”
”Ah--twenty. You desire to be entered upon the list of visiting students at the Hotel Dieu, to be free of the library and lecture-rooms, and to be admitted into my public cla.s.ses?”
”Yes, sir.”