"Avram Davidson - Kings Evil" - читать интересную книгу автора (Davidson Avram)

finger as if to command attention, and begins to speak.
" The magnet attracts iron, iron is found everywhere, everything is therefore under the influence of
magnetism. It is only a modification of the general principle, which establishes harmony or foments
discord. It is the same agent that gives rise to sympathy, antipathy, and the passions.' Have I not the
passage right, sir? My name is Blee, sir: James Blee."
"I am enchanted to meet you, Mr. Blee. I commend your memory. However " he seated himself at right
angles to the fire "you will doubtless recall that the passage you quote is not mine. I was quoting from the
Spaniard, Balthazar Graciano." He spread his long fingers to the blaze. "Are you a physician, sir?"
Mr. Blee perhaps did not hear the question.
"Then try my memory on this, Doctor," he said. "There is a flux and reflux, not only in the sea, but in the
atmosphere, which affects in a similar manner all organized bodies through the medium of a subtile and
mobile fluid, which pervades the universe, and associates all things together in mutual intercourse and
harmony.' Were you... dare we hope... is it that... ?"
Dr. Mainauduc raised his dark brows.
"What is your question, Mr. Blee?"
"Can it be that London is destined to enjoy the great fortune which has hithertofore been Bristol's
alone, Dr. Mainauduc? The reluctant tones of my voice must discover to you that I know I have no right
to enquire, but..."
The mesmerist smiled. "It may be," he began; but at this moment the door was thrown open and two
gentlemen entered, one nervously, the other laughing.
"Oh, pray, pray forgive me, Dr. Mainauduc how d'ye do, Mr, Blee? for my lateness," said the nervous
gentleman, taking off his hat so hurriedly his wig came with it He struggled to replace it, and, at the same
time, gestured towards his companion, who rubbed his hands as he looked about the room and laughed.
"This is Mr. Fanner, sir; Mr. Farmer Dr. Mainauduc, Mr. Blee." He smiled faintly. His face was pale.
"Dr. Mainauduc, Mainauduc, very pleased. Mr. Blee, I hope you do well, well, well. Farmer by name,
gentlemen," the other man said, "and fanner by profession, farmer by profession. What, what?" He then
laughed once more at length and proceeded to repeat his remarks all over again. His face was ruddy.
Mr. Blee courteously asked if he had had good crops, and while Mr. Farmer was merrily discussing
corn, hay, and wallfruit with his questioner, Mr. Wentworth drew Dr. Mainauduc to one side, and spoke
closely to his ear.
"The fact of the matter is that I never saw this gentleman in my life before, till just above an hour ago,
when he came into the barber's where I was having my hair attended to, and desired to be shaved. Tis
my belief, sir, that he is some country squire unused to London ways," Mr. Wentworth said; "for when
the man was finished, the gentleman said, oh, as blandly as you please, that he had no money. I presume
he'd had his pocket picked, for one can see by his clothes that he is--"
"Oh, quite so," murmured Dr. Mainauduc.
"Have you not often wondered," Mr. Fanner chattered to Mr. Blee, "how the people do? How they
live? What their lives are like? What they think, really think? Hey, sir? What, what?"
"Oh, frequently, Mr. Farmer!"
Wentworth murmured, "And so I thought best to pay for the barber, and then I really did not know
how to get rid of him."
 Dr. Mainauduc saw that his fellow physician was considerably embarrassed at the introduction of two
extra men to what was intended for a private meeting. He assured him that he did not mind, and said that,
indeed, it was just as well, for they might get a lay opinion on the subject of introducing to London the
practice of the Mesmeric therapy. And so they all four sat down to supper. There was beef and brawn
and game pie and goose.
"I little thought to have this honor, Doctor," Mr. Blee said; "but, chancing to hear from Mr. Wentworth,
of whose professional parts I bear the highest opinion, that you were to be here, I felt I must hazard it,
and come to see the prophet of the newfound philosophy."
Wentworth, who had treated Blee for an amorous distemper, kept silence, but his principal guest