dangerous. He was shot in the side
somewhere, but the ball injured no vital part. We thought all would be
well. Oh! how sick I am of theories, and Systems, and the pretensions of
men! There was his son lying all but dead, and the man was still
unconvinced of the folly he had been guilty of. I could hardly bear the
sight of his composure. I shall hate the name of Science till the day I
die. Give me nothing but commonplace unpretending people!

"They were at a wretched French cabaret, smelling vilely, where we still
remain, and the people try as much as they can do to compensate for our
discomforts by their kindness. The French poor people are very
considerate where they see suffering. I will say that for them. The
doctors had not allowed his poor Lucy to go near him. She sat outside his
door, and none of us dared disturb her. That was a sight for Science. His
father and myself, and Mrs. Berry, were the only ones permitted to wait
on him, and whenever we came out, there she sat, not speaking a word--for
she had been told it would endanger his life--but she looked such awful
eagerness. She had the sort of eye I fancy mad persons have. I was sure
her reason was going. We did everything we could think of to comfort her.
A bed was made up for her and her meals were brought to her there. Of
course there was no getting her to eat. What do you suppose his alarm was
fixed on? He absolutely said to me--but I have not patience to repeat his
words. He thought her to blame for not commanding herself for the sake of
her maternal duties. He had absolutely an idea of insisting that she
should make an effort to suckle the child. I shall love that Mrs. Berry
to the end of my days. I really believe she has twice the sense of any of
us--Science and all. She asked him plainly if he wished to poison the
child, and then he gave way, but with a bad grace.

"Poor man! perhaps I am hard on him. I remember that you said Richard had
done wrong. Yes; well, that may be. But his father eclipsed his wrong in
a greater wrong--a crime, or quite as bad; for if he deceived himself in
the belief that he was acting righteously in separating husband and wife,
and exposing his son as he did, I can only say that there are some who
are worse than people who deliberately commit crimes. No doubt Science
will benefit by it. They kill little animals for the sake of Science.

"We have with us Doctor Bairam, and a French physician from Dieppe, a
very skilful man. It