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Updated: May 22, 2025
"I think you are quite right, Doctor Jabez Portsoaken," said Septimius, a little confused and bewildered, so unused had he become to the society of strangers. "And as to you, sir," said the doctor, who had a very rough, abrupt way of speaking, "I have to thank you for a favor done me." "Have you, sir?" said Septimius, who was quite sure that he had never seen the doctor's uncouth figure before.
How could Death be spared? then the sire would live forever, and the heir never come to his inheritance, and so he would at once hate his own father, from the perception that he would never be out of his way. Through such scenes Septimius sought out the direction that Doctor Portsoaken had given him, and came to the door of a house in the olden part of the town.
The name of Hagburn is unpleasantly realistic, and Doctor Portsoaken, with his canopy of spider-webs hanging in noisome festoons above his head, is closely akin to the repulsive. The amateur critic who averred that he could not read Hawthorne without feeling a sensation as if cobwebs were drawn across his face, must have had "Septimius Felton" in mind.
He studied all the books of chemistry which at that period were attainable, a period when, in the world, it was a science far unlike what it has since become; and when Septimius had no instruction in this country, nor could obtain any beyond the dark, mysterious charlatanic communications of Doctor Portsoaken.
"Many a chance shot brings down the bird," said Doctor Portsoaken. "You say you had no interest in his death. We shall see that in the end."
And here she lay among his broken hopes, now shattered as completely as the goblet which held his draught, and as incapable of being formed again. The next day, as Septimius did not appear, there was research for him on the part of Doctor Portsoaken. His room was found empty, the bed untouched.
As Septimius ushered the doctor into his study, and was about to follow him, Aunt Keziah drew him back. "Septimius, who is this you have brought here?" asked she. "A man I have met on the hill," answered her nephew; "a Doctor Portsoaken he calls himself, from the old country. He says he has knowledge of herbs and other mysteries; in your own line, it may be.
"No; you should ask Doctor Portsoaken about that," said Sibyl. Doctor Portsoaken! And so he should consult him.
It was observable, however, that the doctor such a humbug in scientific matters, that he had perhaps bewildered himself seemed to have a sort of faith in the efficacy of the recipe which had so strangely come to light, provided the true flower could be discovered; but that flower, according to Doctor Portsoaken, had not been seen on earth for many centuries, and was banished probably forever.
If you can be moved on such terms to give me your companionship, I shall be thankful." "Sir, I am with you," said Doctor Portsoaken. Take your choice, therefore, whether to know me further or not." "I neither shrink nor fear, neither hope much," said Septimius, quietly.
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