"
"And what of her--how is Mademoiselle--?"
"A patient most interesting, Doctor Rocke," said the old Frenchman,
alternately questioning his substitute and addressing Traverse.
"She has stopped her violent ravings, and seems to me to be sinking
into a state of stupid despair," replied the substitute.
"A patient most interesting, my young friend! A history most
pathetic! You shall hear of it some time. But come into the parlor,
and you, Angele, my sister, ring and order coffee," said the old
Frenchman, leading the way into a pleasant apartment on the right of
the hall, furnished with straw matting upon the floor and bamboo
settees and chairs around the walls.
Here coffee was presently served to the travelers, who soon after
retired for the night.
Traverse's room was a large, pleasant apartment at the end of a
wide, long hall, on each side of which were the doors opening into
the cells of the patients.
Fatigued by his journey, Traverse slept soundly through the night;
but early in the morning he was rudely awakened by the sounds of
maniac voices from the cells. Some were crying, some laughing aloud
some groaning and howling and some holding forth in fancied
exhortations.
He dressed himself quickly and left his room to walk down the length
of the long hall and observe the cells on each side. The doors were
at regular intervals, and each door had in its center a small
opening to enable the proprietor to look in upon the patients.
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