HOPE. 133 



to dinner. They accordingly came, and, 

 while seated at the table, the whole party 

 were suddenly discomfited by an at- 

 tack of my fearful enemy for fearful 

 were the distortions of my countenance in 

 all such lamentable visitations. I was borne 

 to my room, and did not again make my 

 appearance that evening ; but I understood 

 that I and my dreadful malady formed the 

 topic of conversation in my absence. In- 

 deed, on my recovery, my sister told me 

 that the gentleman had evinced great com- 

 miseration for my affliction; and in the 

 course of conversation, after asking many 

 questions as to its general nature and 

 origin, said he was acquainted with a person 

 in London who he was sure could cure me. 

 This drew a smile of sorrowful incre- 

 dulity from the lips of my father, who, after 

 having sought and had the best advice 

 the most celebrated of the faculty could 

 afford, had no faith in the ability of any 

 unknown doctor or acknowledged empiric 



