But these agreeable Americans, as soon as they discovered that I had not come for any professional reason to Paris, but only to consult a physician about my health, were actually disappointed.

“Oh, we shall persuade you to give a recital some time!” persisted the handsome smiling mother of the family.  “I know lots of people in Paris.  We’ll get it up for you!”

I protested, half laughing, that I had no idea of the kind, but they were incorrigibly generous.

“Nonsense!” said Mrs. Challoner, arranging her diamond rings on her pretty white hand with pardonable pride.  “Brains don’t go for nothing in our country.  As soon as you are fixed up in health, we’ll give you a grand soiree in Paris, and we’ll work up all our folks in the place.  Don’t tell me you are not as glad of dollars as any one of us.”

“Dollars are very good,” I admitted, “but real appreciation is far better.”

“Well, you shall have both from us,” said Mrs. Challoner.  “And now, will you stop to luncheon?”

I accepted this invitation, given as it was with the most friendly affability, and enjoyed myself very much.

“You don’t look ill,” said the eldest Miss Challoner to me, later on.  “I don’t see that you want a physician.”

“Oh, I am getting much better now,” I replied; “and I hope soon to be quite well.”

“Who’s your doctor?”

I hesitated.  Somehow the name of Heliobas would not come to my lips.  Fortunately Mrs. Challoner diverted her daughter’s attention at this moment by the announcement that a dressmaker was waiting to see her; and in the face of such an important visit, no one remembered to ask me again the name of my medical adviser.

I left the Grand Hotel in good time to prepare for my second visit to Heliobas.  As I was going there to dinner I made a slightly dressy toilette, if a black silk robe relieved with a cluster of pale pink roses can be called dressy.  This time I drove to the Hotel Mars, dismissing the coachman, however, before ascending the steps.  The door opened and closed as usual, and the first person I saw in the hall was Heliobas himself, seated in one of the easy-chairs, reading a volume of Plato.  He rose and greeted me cordially.  Before I could speak a word, he said: 

“You need not tell me that you slept well.  I see it in your eyes and face.  You feel better?”

My gratitude to him was so great that I found it difficult to express my thanks.  Tears rushed to my eyes, yet I tried to smile, though I could not speak.  He saw my emotion, and continued kindly: 

“I am as thankful as you can be for the cure which I see has begun, and will soon be effected.  My sister is waiting to see you.  Will you come to her room?”