"Women and snakes!" Dr.Staines blushed and looked uncomfortable.

"I did not mean to be offensive; it certainly was a very clumsy comparison." "What does that matter ?" said Mr.Lusignan, impatiently.

"Be quiet, Rosa, and let Dr.Staines and me talk sense." "Oh, then I am nobody in the business!" said this wise young lady.
"You are everybody," said Staines, soothingly.

"But," suggested he, obsequiously, "if you don't mind, I would rather explain my views to your father--on this one subject." "And a pretty subject it is!" Dr.Staines then invited Mr.Lusignan to his lodgings, and promised to explain the matter anatomically.

"Meantime," said he, "would you be good enough to put your hands to my waist, as I did to the patient's." Mr.Lusignan complied; and the patient began to titter directly, to put them out of countenance.
"Please observe what takes place when I draw a full breath.
"Now apply the same test to the patient.