"Dr. Embro," said Courtney, again looking idly out of window, "is like a
French journal: full of the news of the day before yesterday."

"Have you read it yourself, Julius?" asked Embro, amid the laughter of
his neighbours.

"No," said Julius carelessly; "and if it's a hospital case I don't want
to read it."

"What!" said Embro, with heavy irony. "You say that? You, a pupil of the
great Dubois and the greater Charbon! But here comes a greater than
Charbon--the celebrated Dr. Lefevre himself. Come now, Lefevre, you tell
us what you think of this Paris hospital case."

"Presently, Embro," said Lefevre, who had just perceived his friend
Courtney. "Ha, Julius!" said he, crossing to him and taking his hand;
"you're looking uncommonly well."

"Yes," said Julius, "I am well."

"And where have you been all this while?" asked the doctor.

"Oh," said Julius, turning his gaze again out of window, "I have been
rambling everywhere, between Dan and Beersheba."

"And all is vanity, eh?" said the doctor.

"Well," said Julius, looking at him, "that depends--that very much
depends. But can there be any question of vanity or vexation in this
sweet, glorious sunshine?" and he stretched out his hands as if he