“What man hates being ill?” he asked. “Especially when he is in Paris.”
“Now I will take you upstairs,” Vilma proposed.
“But before we do so, mademoiselle,” Pierre Blanc interrupted, “you must promise me that you will make your father follow my instructions to the letter.”
“I will try,” Vilma answered him a little doubtfully.
“The most important thing is for him to rest after I have given him a treatment,” Pierre Blanc said. “In nearly every case the patient goes straight to sleep. But if your father does not, he is to lie quietly on his back undisturbed and not be agitated by anything or anyone. Do you understand, mademoiselle?”
“Of course I do, monsieur,” Vilma replied, “and I promise you that Papa will be left very quiet with nobody and nothing to disturb him.”
“That is exactly wh
