THE OPINION OF DR.

HORTEBISE.
Dr.Hortebise, who had addressed Mascarin so familiarly by his Christian name of Baptiste, was about fifty-six years of age, but he carried his years so well, that he always passed for forty-nine.

He had a heavy pair of red, sensual-looking lips, his hair was untinted by gray, and his eyes still lustrous.

A man who moved in the best society, eloquent in manner, a brilliant conversationalist, and vivid in his perceptions, he concealed under the veil of good-humored sarcasm the utmost cynicism of mind.

He was very popular and much sought after.