long. The life of the longest lived is but short at best. Get
some honey and water, and let us see if we can revive it."

Bee brought the honey and water and watched closely as her father took a
long, slender needle and carefully unwound the proboscis of the insect
inserting it in the honey mixture. At first the little creature scarcely
knew what to make of the proceeding, but soon it began to suck the fluid
eagerly. Then it rose from his hand and flew about the room, returning
almost immediately to the saucer of sweets.

"Will it live?" asked Bee much interested.

"I hardly think so. I have known of a few cases where their lives were
prolonged beyond the natural limit by artificial means, but it does not
happen often. I fear this one is too far gone. If not, you will have a
butterfly pet."

But alas! even as he spoke the butterfly gave a convulsive quiver and
lay still.

"It's gone," said the naturalist, lifting it carefully.

"You can keep it for your collection, can't you, father?"

"Yes; I will keep it, Beatrice. Of course I can not say positively that
it is the very same Teinopalpus Imperialis that I hatched from the egg
myself, but I believe that it is the one. For, how should such a choice
specimen exist here when it is so rarely found in its native haunts?
Could it be possible--"

He paused, thoughtfully gazing at the dead butterfly. He roused himself
presently and turned toward her.

"I am glad that you returned as you did, my daughter. Joel brought the
mail, and there are matters to be discussed between us."

For the first time Beatrice noticed his grave looks.

"Father," she cried in alarm. "What is it? Something has happened. You
are not, you are not--" a sudden dread piercing her heart, "going away?"

There was so much anguish and appeal in her cry that Doctor Raymond held
out his arms to her. "My child," he said, drawing her close to him, "I
must. You remember that I shortened the term of years I promised the
University to spend abroad? It is a matter of honor to fulfill my
agreement with them; for, while they would release me if I wished, it
would put them to a great deal of trouble to get another man. The chief
difficulty lies in the fact that no other could know the ground as I
do. Do I make myself clear about this, Beatrice?"

"Yes;" came from Bee's white lips, briefly.

"I thought that you would understand my position. The reason for my
going being therefore defined, the question rema