be
obliged to rely upon yourself, my boy. God grant that in years to come
you will not reproach me for my imprudence."

The child did not throw himself into her arms, but holding his head
proudly erect, he answered: "I shall love you even more, dear mother,
if that be possible. As for the fortune which my father left you, I will
restore it to you again. I am no longer a school-boy, I am a man--as you
shall see."

One could not fail to perceive that he had taken a solemn vow. Although
he possessed a remarkable mind, and the power of acquiring knowledge
rapidly, he had, so far, worked indifferently, and then only by fits and
starts, whenever examination time drew near. But from that day forward
he did not lose a moment. His remarks, which were at once comical and
touching, were those of the head of a family, deeply impressed by a
sense of his own responsibility. "You see," he said to his companions,
who were astonished at his sudden thirst for knowledge, "I can't afford
to wear out my breeches on the college forms, now that my poor mother
has to pay for them with her work."

His good-humor was not in the least impaired by his resolve not to spend
a single penny of his pocket money. With a tact unusual at his age, or
indeed at any other, he bore his misfortunes simply and proudly, without
any of the servile humility or sullen envy which so often accompanies
poverty. For three years in succession the highest prizes at the
competitions rewarded him for his efforts; but these successes, far from
elating him unduly, seemed to afford him but little satisfaction.
"This is only glory," he thought; and his great ambition was to support
himself.

He was soon able to do so, thanks to the kindness of the head-master,
who offered him his tuition gratis if he would assist in superintending
some of the lower classes. Thus one day when Madame Ferailleur presented
herself as usual to make her quarterly payment, the steward replied:
"You owe us nothing, madame; everything has been paid by your son."

She almost fainted; after bearing adversity so bravely, this happiness
proved too much for her. She could scarcely believe it. A long
explanation was necessary to convince her of the truth, and then big
tears, tears of joy this time, gushed from her eyes.

In this way, Pascal Ferailleur paid all the expenses of his education
until he had won his degree, arming himself so as to resist the trials
that awaited him, and giving abundant pro