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A FAMILY PARTY.
The next morning found the young Duke of Vallombreuse still living, though his life hung by so slender a thread, that the surgeon, who anxiously watched his every breath, feared from moment to moment that it might break.

He was a learned and skilful man, this same Maitre Laurent, who only needed some favourable opportunity to bring him into notice and make him as celebrated as he deserved to be.

His remarkable talents and skill had only been exercised thus far "in anima vili," among the lower orders of society--whose living or dying was a matter of no moment whatever.

But now had come at last the chance so long sighed for in secret, and he felt that the recovery of his illustrious patient was of paramount importance to himself.