Page 233 - madame-bovary

was given some heavy work, he stood on it in preference to
its fellow.
Now, as it was an equinus, it was necessary to cut the ten-
don of Achilles, and, if need were, the anterior tibial muscle
could be seen to afterwards for getting rid of the varus; for
the doctor did not dare to risk both operations at once; he
was even trembling already for fear of injuring some impor-
tant region that he did not know.
Neither Ambrose Pare, applying for the first time since
Celsus, after an interval of fifteen centuries, a ligature to
an artery, nor Dupuytren, about to open an abscess in the
brain, nor Gensoul when he first took away the superior
maxilla, had hearts that trembled, hands that shook, minds
so strained as Monsieur Bovary when he approached Hip-
polyte, his tenotome between his fingers. And as at hospitals,
near by on a table lay a heap of lint, with waxed thread,
many bandages—a pyramid of bandages—every bandage
to be found at the druggist’s. It was Monsieur Homais who
since morning had been organising all these preparations,
as much to dazzle the multitude as to keep up his illusions.
Charles pierced the skin; a dry crackling was heard. The
tendon was cut, the operation over. Hippolyte could not
get over his surprise, but bent over Bovary’s hands to cover
them with kisses.
‘Come, be calm,’ said the druggist; ‘later on you will show
your gratitude to your benefactor.’
And he went down to tell the result to five or six inquir-
ers who were waiting in the yard, and who fancied that
Hippolyte would reappear walking properly. Then Charles,

Madame Bovary