The merchant and the physician shook hands like old friends.
"No alarming news of my sister, I hope ?" said Mr.Keller.
"Only the old trouble, my good friend.

Another attack of asthma." Mrs.Wagner rose to leave the room.

Mr.Keller stopped her.

"There is not the least necessity for you to leave us," he said.

"Unless my presentiments deceive me, we may even have occasion to ask your advice .-- Is there any hope, doctor, of her being well enough to leave Munich, towards the end of the month ?" "I am sorry to say it," answered the physician--"having heard of the interesting occasion on which she had engaged to be one of your guests--but, at her age, I must ask for a little more time." "In other words, it is impossible for my sister to be with us, on the day of my son's marriage ?" "Quite impossible.