The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 297: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

292 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. hydrophobia, but had never either treated, or seen a case before ; and had about as much idea of what was really the matter with the patient as a country apothe- cary would have had—perhaps not so much, for some apothecaries do see a little practice. Like most of his tribe, he had no lack of assurance ; in addition to which, he was a dull, heavy-looking person, with a leaden eye, a slow, pompous speech. The latter qualification he particularly prided himself upon—he thought it professional. ‘ Humph—ah! Bad case,” he murmured, “ very bad case. Pulse over a hundred. We must bleed him. The man’s in a raging fever.” At the word fever, the crowd who had gathered round the bed drew back. Those who were holding Flin were about to follow their example, but the voice of the surgeon restrained them. “Don’t be fools,” he hastily exclaimed. ‘“ It’s not infectious—not in the least—merely a bilious fever. Hold him tight ; and some of you strip off his coat.” “‘ May I speak’ with your honour?” demanded Ben. ‘‘ Presently, my good man, presently,” replied the surgeon, drawing out a case of lancets from his pocket. “You had better speak with me now,” said Ben, with a significant look. For once the man of science suffered himself to be persuaded, and, stepping on one side, listened to the narration of Flin’s adventure with the dog; told, of course, with such variations as prudence demanded. COMmicooeec! SS (SO