"Madam, from the first moment in which I saw you, I disbelieved the
story of your insanity, and mentioned my doubts to Doctor St. Jean--
"
"Who ridiculed your doubts, of course. I can readily believe that he
did. Doctor St. Jean is not a very bad man, but he is a charlatan
and a dullard; he received the story of my reported insanity as he
received me, as an advantage to his institution, and he never gave
himself the unprofitable trouble to investigate the circumstances. I
told him the truth about myself as calmly as I now speak to you, but
somebody else had told him that this truth was the fiction of a
deranged imagination, and he found it more convenient and profitable
to believe somebody else. But again I ask you, why were not you,
also, so discreetly obtuse?"
"Madam," said Traverse, blushing ingenuously, "I hope you will
forgive me for saying that it is impossible any one could see you
without becoming deeply interested in your fate. Your face, Madam,
speaks equally of profound sorrows and of saintly resignation. I saw
no sign of madness there. In the calm depths of those sad eyes,
lady, I knew that the fires of insanity never could have burned.
Pardon me that I looked at you so closely; I was your physician, and
was most deeply anxious concerning my patient."
"I thank you; may the Lord bless you! Perhaps he has sent you here
for my relief, for you are right, young friend--you are altogether
right; I have been wild with grief, frantic with despair, but never
for one hour in the whole course of my life have I been insane.
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