ng backwards instead of forwards; he handed his property up to an
ancestor, instead of down to posterity.

All this the doctor's pen set down with some humor, and in the calm
spirit with which a genuine philosopher receives prosperity as well as
adversity. Yet one natural regret escaped him; that all this wealth,
since it was to come, had not come a year or two sooner.

All at Beaurepaire knew what their dear old friend meant.

His other news to them was that they might expect him any moment.

So here was another cause of rejoicing.

"I am so glad," said Josephine. "Now, perhaps, he will be able to
publish his poor dear entomology, that the booksellers were all so
unkind, so unfeeling about."

I linger on the brink of painful scenes to observe that a sweet and
loving friendship, such as this was between the good doctor and three
persons of another sex, is one of the best treasures of the human heart.
Poverty had strengthened it; yet now wealth could not weaken it. With
no tie of blood it yet was filial, sisterly, brotherly, national,
chivalrous; happy, unalloyed sentiment, free from ups and downs, from
heats and chills, from rivalry, from caprice; and, indeed, from all
mortal accidents but one--and why say one? methinks death itself does
but suspend these gentle, rare, unselfish amities a moment, then waft
them upward to their abiding home.

CHAPTER XV.

It was a fair morning in June: the sky was a bright, deep, lovely,
speckless blue: the flowers and bushes poured perfume, and sprinkled
song upon the balmy air. On such a day, so calm, so warm, so bright, so
scented, so tuneful, to live and to be young is to be happy. With gentle
hand it wipes all other days out of the memory; it smiles, it smells,
it sings, and clouds and rain and biting wind seem as far off and
impossible as grief and trouble.

Camille and Josephine had stolen out, and strolled lazily up and down
close under the house, drinking the sweet air, fragrant with perfume and
melody; the blue sky, and love.

Rose was in the house. She had missed them; but she thought they must be
near; for they seldom took long walks early in the day. Meeting Jacintha
on the landing of the great staircase, she asked her where her sister
was.

"Madame Raynal is gone for a walk. She has taken the colonel with her.
You know she always takes the colonel out with her now."

"That will do. You can finish your work."

Jacintha went into Camille's room.

Ros