"You have had a shock," he said, "and a superabundance of excitement. Tell
me all about it."
When I had told him what had happened, omitting only Vedia's disguise and
her presence in the water-garden, he said:
"I certainly should not have prescribed any such excitements and efforts
as medicaments for a case like yours. But it sometimes happens that being
startled accomplishes more towards a cure than long rest can. Your
perturbation of mind and activity of body has cured you. You are, as far
as I can judge, well. I am of the opinion that you may safely eat and
drink what you like in moderation, rest only as you please and may resume
your normal life."
I was, naturally, much pleased, but had no impulse to resume my habits
that day. I kept indoors, denied myself to all visitors, slept long after
Galen had left, ate a moderate dinner and went early to bed.
Next day I went through the normal routine of a Roman of my rank. The
story of the leopard had been noised about and the husbands of the ladies
concerned every one came to salute me at my morning reception and to thank
me for my miraculous intervention, as they called it. As six of the eight
were senators my atrium had an aspect seldom seen at the reception of a
man of equestrian rank.
Pages:
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227