THE MEN OF PHYSIC.

2G3

ceeded:—" Promises, at a moment like this,have often been found faithless, and have dis-solved 'into thin air;' therefore," giving to theprince a scroll—" look upon that; unfold andread: be instant—bind thy soul, as the wordstherein point out, to the prompt execution of mypleasure." Here he began to raise his hand ofbone, still armed with the deadly missile:—" Hold ! hold !" the prince ejaculated ; " I swearas this scroll requires." What was written thereinhas never been divulged. "Death well knew thatflesh and blood dared not to violate the oath. Hewas accordingly satisfied; and now, under theguise in which he had stalked into the royal cham-ber, he abandoned it, in malignant triumph thathis purpose had succeeded, and that the recom-mencement and augmentation of his harvestawaited only the return of the doctors; moreespecially of those who should occupy their sta-tions and exercise their crafts in the metropo-lis. It is there he stands in gloomy watch, orstalks about in cynic grin, delighted with thehurry, dexterity, and slight-of-hand visits paid bythe doctor to his catalogue of patients, agreeably