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"Conceited blockhead!" he thought, as he listened to the

celebrated doctor's chatter about his daughter's symptoms. The

doctor was meantime with difficulty restraining the expression of

his contempt for this old gentleman, and with difficulty

condescending to the level of his intelligence. He perceived that

it was no good talking to the old man, and that the principal

person in the house was the mother. Before her he decided to

scatter his pearls. At that instant the princess came into the

drawing-room with the family doctor. The prince withdrew, trying

not to show how ridiculous he thought the whole performance. The

princess was distracted, and did not know what to do. She felt

she had sinned against Kitty.

"Well, doctor, decide our fate," said the princess. "Tell me

everything."

"Is there hope?" she meant to say, but her lips quivered, and she

could not utter the question. "Well, doctor?"