Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/212

Mamma’s history of the affair became quite an epic, in which she was well disposed to have figured as the heroine, and might have succeeded, but that she inadvertently let slip the incident of my lord’s applying the smelling-bottle. The evening had not far advanced when the attentive host introduced to the Countess a new arrival, who came extremely à propos, being no other than his lordship’s physician; who forthwith proceeded to make the most earnest inquiries as to the health of the Countess and that of her fair daughters; having felt the pulse of each lady twice over, he pulled a very long face, and shook his head, in a manner to indicate that there was something wrong. Now, although the Countess’s health was not a bit worse than usual, the doctor’s grimaces made her fear for her life. In spite of all her infirmities, she felt for her wretched, feeble frame all the attachment we have for a threadbare coat, which we are reluctant to part with because we have so long worn it; and accordingly, under the doctor’s direction, she swallowed an immense sedative-febrifuge powder, and a draught; and the young ladies, though as hearty as hunters, were compelled to follow the example of their anxious Mamma. The more you give way to physicians the more you may. Finding the powders and draughts go down so well, Master Doctor insisted upon bleeding them all three in the foot, as an infallible remedy against the