." "A hundred guineas," said the surgeon, "my good friend, you must surely be light-headed; allow me to feel your pulse," and he attempted to feel my left wrist.

"I am not light-headed," said I, "and I require no one to feel my pulse; but I should be light-headed if I were to sell my horse for less than I have demanded; but I have a curiosity to know what you would be willing to offer." "Thirty pounds," said the surgeon, "is all I can afford to give; and that is a great deal for a country surgeon to offer for a horse." "Thirty pounds," said I, "why he cost me nearly double that sum.

To tell you the truth, I am afraid you want to take advantage of my situation." "Not in the least, friend," said the surgeon, "not in the least; I only wished to set your mind at rest about your horse; but as you think he is worth more than I can afford to offer, take him to Horncastle by all means; I will do my best to cure you in time.

Good-night, I will see you again on the morrow." Thereupon he once more departed with the master of the house.

"A sharp one," I heard him say, with a laugh, as the door closed upon him.
Left to myself, I again essayed to compose myself to rest, but for some time in vain.