ling hopes of manifold success; both
consciously possessed the high order of intelligence which sets a man on
a level with lofty heights, consigned though they were socially to the
lowest level. Fate's injustice was a strong bond between them. And
then, by different ways, following each his own bent of mind, they had
attained to poesy. Lucien, destined for the highest speculative fields
of natural science, was aiming with hot enthusiasm at fame through
literature; while David, with that meditative temperament which inclines
to poetry, was drawn by his tastes towards natural science.

The exchange of roles was the beginning of an intellectual comradeship.
Before long, Lucien told David of his own father's farsighted views of
the application of science to manufacture, while David pointed out the
new ways in literature that Lucien must follow if he meant to succeed.
Not many days had passed before the young men's friendship became a
passion such as is only known in early manhood. Then it was that David
caught a glimpse of Eve's fair face, and loved, as grave and meditative
natures can love. The _et nunc et semper et in secula seculorum_ of the
Liturgy is the device taken by many a sublime unknown poet, whose works
consist in magnificent epics conceived and lost between heart and heart.
With a lover's insight, David read the secret hopes set by the mother
and sister on Lucien's poet's brow; and knowing their blind devotion,
it was very sweet to him to draw nearer to his love by sharing her hopes
and her self-sacrifice. And in this way Lucien came to be David's chosen
brother. As there are ultras who would fain be more Royalist than the
King, so David outdid the mother and sister in his belief in Lucien's
genius; he spoiled Lucien as a mother spoils her child.

Once, under pressure of the lack of money which tied their hands, the
two were ruminating after the manner of young men over ways of promptly
realizing a large fortune; and, after fruitless shakings of all the
trees already stripped by previous comers, Lucien bethought himself of
two of his father's ideas. M. Chardon had talked of a method of refining
sugar by a chemical process, which would reduce the cost of production
by one-half; and he had another plan for employing an American vegetable
fibre for making paper, something after the Chinese fashion, and
effecting an enormous saving in the cost of raw material. David, knowing
the importance of a question raised alre