s arose in scientific circles; an overwhelming
majority decided against the representations of the professor; an
unimportant minority declared themselves in his favor, and a pamphlet
obtained some degree of notice, ridiculing the whole debate under the
title of "The History of an Hypothesis." In reply to this impertinent
criticism of his labors, Rosette issued a rejoinder full with the most
vehement expressions of indignation, and reiterating his asseveration
that a fragment of Gibraltar was still traversing the regions of space,
carrying thirteen Englishmen upon its surface, and concluding by saying
that it was the great disappointment of his life that he had not been
taken with them.

Pablo and little Nina were adopted, the one by Servadac, the other
by the count, and under the supervision of their guardians, were well
educated and cared for. Some years later, Colonel, no longer Captain,
Servadac, his hair slightly streaked with grey, had the pleasure of
seeing the handsome young Spaniard united in marriage to the Italian,
now grown into a charming girl, upon whom the count bestowed an ample
dowry; the young people's happiness in no way marred by the fact that
they had not been destined, as once seemed likely, to be the Adam and
Eve of a new world.

The career of the comet was ever a mystery which neither Servadac nor
his orderly could eliminate from the regions of doubt. Anyhow, they were
firmer and more confiding friends than ever.

One day, in the environs of Montmartre, where they were secure from
eavesdroppers, Ben Zoof incidentally referred to the experiences in
the depths of Nina's Hive; but stopped short and said, "However, those
things never happened, sir, did they?"

His master could only reply, "Confound it, Ben Zoof! What is a man to
believe?"

Note: I have omitted the designation "V. IX. Verne" from those pages
where it appeared as the last line; I have also made the following
changes to the text:

PAGE LINE ORIGINAL CHANGED TO
16 10 o'clock. o'clock."
18 4 singe single
85 6 Parfait!!! Parfait!!!"
87 5 asteriod asteroid
130 13 colonly colony
143 17 tin tain
161 30 Europe. Europe."
179 15 Leiutenant Lieutenant
241 14 coud could

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