ve man the faculty and the desire
of comprehending it, I felt that the mind contained capacities long
concealed from its owner; I felt that even in this world there must be
at some time a perfect revelation of perfect love to man, beyond that
love of nature which is to be derived from the study of this world's
natural laws and those of the lights which rule it. I was then
unsatisfied, Marguerite, for there was a void in my heart which
nothing could fill up; and I remember once meeting with a passage in a
favorite author which said, that whosoever had a faculty or sensation
unemployed could not be happy. I was in that situation; but strange to
say, absorbing as the passion of love is, when I once understood this
great mystery I was better able to devote all my energies to science.
I had often heard it said, that a pure and holy affection is the
purest and surest source of energy and greatness--until I knew you,
Marguerite, I gave no credit to the saying."

"And this star, Dumiger, which is growing fainter and fainter?"

"It was the one evidence wanting to prove the accuracy of my
calculations. Look here, Marguerite," and he rose from the table with
weak and faltering steps, and drew back a curtain which was drawn
across a corner of the small room. There she saw a small clock of
exquisite manufacture, a complicated mass of machinery--so complicated
that it would have looked like fabled labor to have even put it
into motion, or regulated it when in motion. "Look here," continued
Dumiger, "here is the result of two years' toil. I have already
adapted these works to each other: it is, as you may perceive, a
representation of the heavenly bodies; but I could not satisfy myself
that my own calculations were correct until I saw this star which I
expected to rise as it has risen this morning. Now, Marguerite, my
best beloved, you have seen it burning brightly in that spot of the
heavens, it is a pledge of our future love and of my great success--I
accept it with humility and gratitude. Yes, now. Marguerite, I will
retire with you; a great fact has been accomplished. If labor is
virtuous, if to exercise the faculties be a part of the discipline
of life, then, even if I die now, I have not lived unworthily, and my
labor has not been wholly in vain. What think you, my Marguerite?"

She looked her answer in those dark, speaking, lustrous eyes. The
greatness of his mind had passed to hers; the mysterious sympathy of
kindred souls