is! Who would believe that
the stern and lofty magistrate to whom the Emperor was under such
obligations that he gave him that snuff-box, and on whom Charles X.
bestowed as a reward that Sevres tea-set which you see behind you, who
would suppose that that rigid supporter of power and law, that learned
jurist, should have within his heart of rock the heart of a mother, too?
Oh! papa, papa! kiss me, kiss me! come!"

The old man rose, leaned over the bed and kissed the broad poetic
forehead of his daughter, whose passionate excitements did not always
take the turn of this tempest of affection. Then he walked about the
room; his slippers, embroidered by his daughter, making no noise.

"What are your occupations?" said Vanda to Godefroid, after a pause.

"Madame, I am employed by pious persons to help the unfortunate."

"Ah! what a noble mission, monsieur!" she said. "Do you know the thought
of devoting myself to that very work has often come to me? but ah!
what ideas do not come to me?" she added, with a motion of her head.
"Suffering is like a torch which lights up life. If I were ever to
recover health--"

"You should amuse yourself, my child," said her father.

"Oh yes!" she said; "I have the desire, but should I then have the
faculty? My son will be, I hope a magistrate, worthy of his two
grandfathers, and he will leave me. What should I do then? If God
restores me to life I will dedicate that life to Him--oh! after giving
you all you need of it," she cried, looking tenderly at her father and
son. "There are moments, my dear father, when the ideas of Monsieur
de Maistre work within me powerfully, and I fancy that I am expiating
something."

"See what it is to read too much!" said the old man, evidently troubled.

"That brave Polish general, my great grandfather, took part, though very
innocently, in the partition of Poland."

"Well, well! now it is Poland!" said Monsieur Bernard.

"How can I help it, papa? my sufferings are infernal; they give me a
horror of life, they disgust me with myself. Well, I ask you, have I
done anything to deserve them? Such diseases are not a mere derangement
of health, they are caused by a perverted organization and--"

"Sing that national air your poor mother used to sing; Monsieur
Godefroid wants to hear it; I have told him about your voice," said
the old man, endeavoring to distract her mind from the current of such
thoughts.

Vanda began, in a low and tender voice, to sing