a point of honor. Fox, one of the greatest English
orators, was remarkable, above all things, for the beauty of his
character, and the very first of his qualities was the scrupulous
faithfulness with which he kept his engagements. When he was a child,
his father (an Englishman of the old school) gave him a pretty strong
lesson which he never forgot. Like most rich Englishmen, Fox's father
had a country house and a considerable park about it. Now, in the park
there was an old summer-house, and orders had been given that this
summer-house was to be pulled down and put up somewhere else where there
was a finer view. Fox was just about your age, and had come home for the
holidays. Boys are fond of seeing things pulled to pieces, so young
Fox asked to stay on at home for a few days longer to see the old
summer-house taken down; but his father said that he must go back to
school on the proper day, so there was anger between father and son.
Fox's mother (like all mammas) took the boy's part. Then the father
solemnly promised that the summer-house should stay where it was till
the next holidays.

"So Fox went back to school; and his father, thinking that lessons would
soon drive the whole thing out of the boy's mind, had the summer-house
pulled down and put up in the new position. But as it happened, the
persistent youngster thought of nothing but that summer-house; and as
soon as he came home again, his first care was to go out to look at the
old building, and he came in to breakfast looking quite doleful, and
said to his father, 'You have broken your promise.' The old English
gentleman said with confusion full of dignity, 'That is true, my boy;
but I will make amends. A man ought to think of keeping his word before
he thinks of his fortune; for by keeping his word he will gain fortune,
while all the fortunes in the world will not efface the stain left on
your conscience by a breach of faith.' Then he gave orders that the
summer-house should be put up again in the old place, and when it had
been rebuilt he had it taken down again for his son to see. Let this be
a lesson to _you_, Gustave."

Gustave had been listening with interest, and now he closed the book at
once. There was a moment's silence, while the General took possession of
Moina, who could scarcely keep her eyes open. The little one's languid
head fell back on her father's breast, and in a moment she was fast
asleep, wrapped round about in her golden curls.

Just