phers into mortifying reflections upon the utter
insignificance of our own poor little planet, capable of producing
nothing greater than Shakspeares and Newtons, Aristotles and
Caesars,--mannikins, no doubt, beside intellects proportioned to the
size of the world in which they flourish.

As it chanced, Isaura and Graham were then standing close to each other
and a little apart from the rest. "It is very strange," said Graham,
laughing low, "how little I care about Sirius. He is the sun of
some other system, and is perhaps not habitable at all, except by
Salamanders. He cannot be one of the stars with which I have established
familiar acquaintance, associated with fancies and dreams and hopes,
as most of us do, for instance, with Hesperus, the moon's harbinger and
comrade. But amid all those stars there is one--not Hesperus--which has
always had from my childhood a mysterious fascination for me. Knowing as
little of astrology as I do of astronomy, when I gaze upon that star I
become credulously superstitious, and fancy it has an influence on my
life. Have you, too, any favourite star?"

"Yes," said Isaura; "and I distinguish it now, but I do not even know
its name, and never would ask it."

"So like me. I would not vulgarize my unknown source of beautiful
illusions by giving it the name it takes in technical catalogues.
For fear of learning that name I never have pointed it out to any
one before. I too at this moment distinguish it apart from all its
brotherhood. Tell me which is yours."

Isaura pointed and explained. The Englishman was startled. By what
strange coincidence could they both have singled out from all the host
of heaven the same favourite star? "Cher Vane," cried Savarin, "Colonel
Morley declares that what America is to the terrestrial system Sirius is
to the heavenly. America is to extinguish Europe, and then Sirius is to
extinguish the world."

"Not for some millions of years; time to look about us," said the
Colonel, gravely. "But I certainly differ from those who maintain that
Sirius recedes from us. I say that he approaches. The principles of a
body so enlightened must be those of progress." Then addressing Graham
in English, he added, "there will be a mulling in this fogified planet
some day, I predicate. Sirius is a keener!"

"I have not imagination lively enough to interest myself in the
destinies of Sirius in connection with our planet at a date so remote,"
said Graham, smiling. Then he adde