The Bundle of Letters.
From the Hungarian of Moritz Jokai.
NE of the celebrated medical practitioners of Pesth, Dr. K———, was one morning, at an early hour, obliged to receive a very pressing visitor. The man, who was waiting in the ante-room, sent in word by the footman that all delay would be dangerous to him; he had, therefore, to be received immediately.
The doctor hastily wrapped a dressing-gown about him, and directed the patient to be admitted to him.
"He carried his right hand in a sling."
He found himself in the presence of a man who was a complete stranger to him, but who appeared to belong to the best society, judging from his manners. On his pale face could be discerned traces of great physical and moral sufferings. He carried his right hand in a sling, and, though he tried to restrain himself, he now and then could not prevent a stifled sigh escaping from his lips.
"You are Dr. K———?" he asked in a low and feeble tone of voice.
"That is my name, sir."
"Living in the country, I have not the honour of knowing you, except by reputation. But I cannot say that I am delighted to make your acquaintance, because my visit to you is not a very agreeable one."
Seeing that the sufferer's legs were hardly able to sustain him, the doctor invited him to be seated.
"I am fatigued. It is a week since I had any sleep. Something is the matter with my right hand; I don't what it is—whether it is a carbuncle, or cancer. At first the pain was slight, but now it is a continuous horrible burning, increasing from day to day. I could bear it no longer, so threw myself into my carriage and came to you, to beg you to cut out the affected spot, for an hour more of this torture will drive me mad."
The doctor tried to reassure him, by saying that he might be able to cure the pain with dissolvents and ointments, without resorting to the use of the bistory.
"No, no, sir!" cried the patient; "no plaisters or ointments can give me any relief. I must have the knife. I have come to you to cut out the place which causes me so much suffering."
The doctor asked to see the hand, which the patient held out to him, grinding his teeth, so insufferable appeared to be the pain he was enduring, and with all imaginable precaution he unwound the bandages in which it was enveloped.
"Above all, doctor, I beg of you not to hesitate on account of anything you may see. My disorder is so strange, that you will be surprised; but do not let that weigh with you."
Doctor K——— reassured the stranger. As
