During a portion of the first half of the present century, and more
particularly during the latter part of it, there flourished and
practised in the city of New York a physician who enjoyed perhaps an
exceptional share of the consideration which, in the United States,
has always been bestowed upon distinguished members of the medical
profession.

Catherine, meanwhile, in the parlour, picking up her morsel of fancy
work, had seated herself with it again--for life, as it were.