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The audience, therefore, was less interested in Therese's music, wonderful as it was, than in her eyes; for her father had announced that during the pauses Therese would prove to the incredulous that her cure was no deception. Professor Barth, Doctor Ingenhaus, and the astronomer were there in the front row, sneering away the convictions of all who were within hearing.
"We must devise something to prop up science, or she will fall upon our heads and crush us to death," said Ingenhaus. "What are we to do?" repeated Barth, slowly, as after an embarrassing silence, the three had walked some distance together down the street. "I will tell you what we must do.
If I am thus stringent in my acceptance of the evidence in this case, it is because I long to possess the sweet assurance of my dear child's complete cure." "Hear him," laughed Barth, touching Ingenhaus on the elbow. Therese, meanwhile, was growing embarrassed; and, looking to Mesmer for encouragement she lost sight of every thing under the influence of his eyes.
"The scene must have been rehearsed more than once." "If the blind are to be restored to sight by harmonicons," whispered Doctor Ingenhaus, "I shall throw my books to the winds, and become an itinerant musician." "If planets are to be brought down by a wave of the hand," said Hell, "I will break all my telescopes, and offer my services to Mesmer as an amanuensis."
Those who did not, doubted upon the respectable testimony of Professor Barth, Doctor Ingenhaus, and the entire faculty, who, one and all, protested against the shameful imposition which Mesmer was practising upon an enlightened public.
"No, indeed; if miracles are to make their appearance upon the stage of this world, what becomes of science?" asked Ingenhaus. "Let us await the end of the farce," said the professor. "Here she comes." A murmur went through the hall as Therese entered. The guests rose from their seats to obtain a sight of her.
The audience expressed astonishment; Therese uttered a cry of horror, and turned to Mesmer, who, pale and stunned by the shock of her father's cruel words, had lost all power to come to the poor child's assistance. Barth was laughing behind his pocket-handkerchief. "The remedy works," whispered he to Ingenhaus "the remedy works." Two gentlemen arose. One handed a book, the other a sheet of music.
Doctor Ingenhaus, my bitter rival, will be there, to find out by what infernal magic the charlatan has cured hundreds of patients pronounced by him incurable. Father Hell will be there, to see if the presence of a great astronomer will not affright the charlatan. Oh, yes! And others will be there none seeking knowledge, but all hoping to see me discomfited."
"Nor I," added Doctor Ingenhaus, as he prepared to accompany the professor. "My head is in a whirl with the antics of this devilish doctor." "Take me with you," said Father Hell. "I must go and look after my planets. I'm afraid we shall miss another Pleiad." So saying, the representatives of science took their leave. At the door they met Count von Langermann, the messenger of the empress.
"It is a marvellous reality. Yourself confessed it, professor." "A careless word, prematurely uttered, is not to be accepted as evidence," growled Barth. "Such astounding things demand time for consideration. They may be optical delusions," added Ingenhaus. "Ah, gentlemen, the fact is a stubborn one," laughed Count Langermann.
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