That same evening, when he was falling asleep, he suddenly jumped up in bed. His heart had given a heavy abnormal beat, and was now quietly working, as if ignorant and innocent of everything.
After a while, he fell asleep. Next day, he was worse than ever.
"Am I going to die?" he said to himself. "Life is sweet, it is hard to die so young, when before me lies the future which I would fain penetrate. I should like to accomplish some task before I depart from this world."
Frank! where art thou come to? Didst not thou say, only a few weeks back: "I will smile when the hour of death comes," and now thou art craving for life, and thou art shrinking from death.
Frank Mathers thought that his complaint was _Angina Pectoris_. He consulted a book on Pathology. He learnt that even with this terrible disease a person might, by careful living, attain a certain age.
This did not satisfy him. He consulted a doctor. When he was seated in the medical man's waiting-room, it seemed to him that the doctor was going to pronounce his doom. He fancied he could already hear him: "You may, by taking care of yourself, live another year or two."
The door of the room in which he was, opened. His heart gave a great leap. "I wish you to auscultate me," he said, addressing the doctor who entered the room.
Dr. Buisson looked at him with a scrutinizing glance as he replied: "Very well, sir; step in the next room."
Frank followed the doctor into the room adjoining.
The medical man proceeded to auscultate his patient. After he had completed his examination, Frank looked at him inquiringly. "_Angina Pectoris_?" he questioned anxiously.
Quoth Dr. Buisson: "You have already sighed a great deal too much. You have overtaxed your strength. You must not live on passion, but you ought to take life more easily, young man. Rest and cheerfulness, with a few bottles of physic, will put you on your legs again. Stimulants would benefit you."
"I do not wish to drink any alcohol," interrupted Frank.
"Who talks about alcohol? Do without stimulants. You do not need them."
The grave voice of the doctor interrupted him. "Young man, you must be careful about your diet; eat slowly--masticate well. Pass into the dispensing room."
"What an odd man," thought Frank, as he wended towards his home.