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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: In Search of a Son
+
+Author: William Shepard Walsh
+
+Release Date: May 22, 2011 [EBook #36189]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN SEARCH OF A SON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephanie Kovalchik and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+1. Small cap has been tagged with = sign.
+
+2. When there were inconsistencies in hyphenation, the less frquent
+variant was replaced with the most frequent, e.g. "ship-board" was
+changed to "shipboard".
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+=In Search of a Son.=
+
+=BY=
+
+
+=UNCLE LAWRENCE,=
+
+=AUTHOR OF "YOUNG FOLKS' WHYS AND WHEREFORES," ETC.=
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+=PHILADELPHIA:=
+
+=J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.=
+
+1890.
+
+Copyright, 1889, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                     Page
+  CHAPTER I.
+
+    The Despatch                                        9
+
+  CHAPTER II.
+
+    Two Friends                                        18
+
+  CHAPTER III.
+
+    Monsieur Roger                                     26
+
+  CHAPTER IV.
+
+    Monsieur Roger's Story                             32
+
+  CHAPTER V.
+
+    Fire at Sea                                        39
+
+  CHAPTER VI.
+
+    Miss Miette's Fortune                              46
+
+  CHAPTER VII.
+
+    Vacation                                           53
+
+  CHAPTER VIII.
+
+    A Drawing Lesson                                   59
+
+  CHAPTER IX.
+
+    The Tower of Heurtebize                            66
+
+  CHAPTER X.
+
+    Physical Science                                   75
+
+  CHAPTER XI.
+
+    The Smoke Which Falls                              84
+
+  CHAPTER XII.
+
+    At the Centre of the Earth                         92
+
+  CHAPTER XIII.
+
+    Why Lead Is Heavier Than Cork                      99
+
+  CHAPTER XIV.
+
+    The Air-Pump                                      104
+
+  CHAPTER XV.
+
+    Drops of Rain and Hammer of Water                 114
+
+  CHAPTER XVI.
+
+    Amusing Physics                                   119
+
+  CHAPTER XVII.
+
+    Why the Moon does not Fall                        127
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+    A Mysterious Resemblance                          138
+
+  CHAPTER XIX.
+
+    The Fixed Idea                                    146
+
+  CHAPTER XX.
+
+    Fire                                              152
+
+  CHAPTER XXI.
+
+    Saved                                             161
+
+  CHAPTER XXII.
+
+    George! George!                                   167
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+    A Proof?                                          178
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+    The Air and the Lungs                             184
+
+  CHAPTER XXV.
+
+    Oxygen                                            190
+
+  CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+    Why Water Puts out Fire                           200
+
+  CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+    Paul or George?                                   214
+
+  CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+    My Father                                         222
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+IN SEARCH OF A SON.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE DESPATCH.
+
+
+In the great silence of the fields a far-off clock struck seven. The
+sun, an August sun, had been up for some time, lighting up and warming
+the left wing of the old French château. The tall old chestnut-trees of
+the park threw the greater part of the right wing into the shade, and in
+this pleasant shade was placed a bench of green wood, chairs, and a
+stone table.
+
+The door of the château opened, and a gentleman lightly descended the
+threshold. He was in his slippers and dressing-robe, and under the
+dressing-robe you could see his night-gown. After having thrown a
+satisfied look upon the beauty of nature, he approached the green seat,
+and seated himself before the stone table. An old servant came up and
+said,--
+
+"What will you take this morning, sir?"
+
+And as the gentleman, who did not seem to be hungry, was thinking what
+he wanted, the servant added,--
+
+"Coffee, soup, tea?"
+
+"No," said the gentleman; "give me a little vermouth and seltzer water."
+
+The servant retired, and soon returned with a tray containing the order.
+The gentleman poured out a little vermouth and seltzer water, then
+rolled a cigarette, lighted it, and, leaning back upon the rounded seat
+of the green bench, looked with pleasure at the lovely scene around him.
+On the left, in a small lake framed in the green lawn, was reflected one
+wing of the old château, as in a mirror. The bricks, whose colors were
+lighted up by the sun, seemed to be burning in the midst of the water.
+The large lawn began at the end of a gravelled walk, and seemed to be
+without limit, for the park merged into cultivated ground, and verdant
+hills rose over hills. There was not a cloud in the sky.
+
+The gentleman, after gazing for some minutes around him, got up and
+opened the door of the château. He called out, "Peter!" in a subdued
+voice, fearing, no doubt, to waken some sleeper.
+
+The servant ran out at once.
+
+"Well, Peter," said the gentleman, "have the papers come?"
+
+"No, sir; they have not yet come. That surprises me. If you wish, sir, I
+will go and meet the postman."
+
+And Peter was soon lost to sight in a little shady alley which descended
+into the high-road. In a few moments he reappeared, followed by a man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "I did not meet the letter-carrier; but here is a man
+with a telegraphic despatch."
+
+The man advanced, and, feeling in a bag suspended at his side, he
+said,--
+
+"Monsieur Dalize, I believe?"
+
+"Yes, my friend."
+
+"Well, here is a telegram for you which arrived at Sens last night."
+
+"A telegram?" said Monsieur Dalize, knitting his brows, his eyes showing
+that he was slightly surprised, and almost displeased, as if he had
+learned that unexpected news was more often bad news than good.
+Nevertheless, he took the paper, unfolded it, and looked at once at the
+signature.
+
+"Ah, from Roger," he said to himself.
+
+And then he began to read the few lines of the telegram. As he read, his
+face brightened, surprise followed uneasiness, and then a great joy
+took the place of discontent. He said to the man,--
+
+"You can carry back an answer, can you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, Peter, bring me pen and ink at once."
+
+Peter brought pen, ink, and paper, and Monsieur Dalize wrote his
+telegram. He gave it to the man, and, feeling through his pockets,
+pulled out a louis.
+
+"Here, my good fellow," said he: "that will pay for the telegram and
+will pay you for your trouble."
+
+The man looked at the coin in the hollow of his hand in an embarrassed
+way, fearing that he had not exactly understood.
+
+"Come, now,--run," said Monsieur Dalize; "good news such as you have
+brought me cannot be paid for too dearly; only hurry."
+
+"Ah, yes, sir, I will hurry," said the man; "and thank you very much,
+thank you very much."
+
+And, in leaving, he said to himself, as he squeezed the money in his
+hand,--
+
+"I should be very glad to carry to him every day good news at such a
+price as that."
+
+When he was alone, Monsieur Dalize reread the welcome despatch. Then he
+turned around, and looked towards a window on the second floor of the
+château, whose blinds were not yet opened. From this window his looks
+travelled back to the telegram, which seemed to rejoice his heart and
+to give him cause for thought. He was disturbed in his reverie by the
+noise of two blinds opening against the wall. He rose hastily, and could
+not withhold the exclamation,--
+
+"At last!"
+
+"Oh, my friend," said the voice of a lady, in good-natured tones. "Are
+you reproaching me for waking up too late?"
+
+"It is no reproach at all, my dear wife," said Monsieur Dalize, "as you
+were not well yesterday evening."
+
+"Ah, but this morning I am entirely well," said Madame Dalize, resting
+her elbows on the sill of the window.
+
+"So much the better," cried Mr. Dalize, joyfully, "and again so much the
+better."
+
+"What light-heartedness!" said Madame Dalize, smiling.
+
+"That is because I am happy, do you know, very happy."
+
+"And the cause of this joy?"
+
+"It all lies in this little bit of paper," answered Monsieur Dalize,
+pointing to the telegram towards the window.
+
+"And what does this paper say?"
+
+"It says,--now listen,--it says that my old friend, my best friend, has
+returned to France, and that in a few hours he will be here with us."
+
+Madame Dalize was silent for an instant, then, suddenly remembering, she
+said,--
+
+"Roger,--are you speaking of Roger?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"Ah, my friend," said Madame Dalize, "now I understand the joy you
+expressed." Then she added, as she closed the window, "I will dress
+myself and be down in a moment."
+
+Hardly had the window of Madame Dalize's room closed than a little girl
+of some ten years, with a bright and pretty face surrounded by black
+curly hair, came in sight from behind the château. As she caught sight
+of Monsieur Dalize, she ran towards him.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she said, throwing herself into his open arms.
+
+"Good-morning, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, taking the little girl
+upon his knees and kissing her over and over again.
+
+"Ah, papa," said the child, "you seem very happy this morning."
+
+"And you have noticed that too, Miette?"
+
+"Why, of course, papa; any one can see that in your face."
+
+"Well, I am very happy."
+
+Miss Mariette Dalize, who was familiarly called Miette, for short,
+looked at her father without saying anything, awaiting an explanation.
+Monsieur Dalize understood her silence.
+
+"You want to know what it is that makes me so happy?"
+
+"Yes, papa."
+
+"Well, then, it is because I am going to-day to see one of my
+friends,--my oldest friend, my most faithful friend,--whom I have not
+seen for ten long years."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Monsieur Dalize stopped for a moment.
+
+"Indeed," he continued, "you cannot understand what I feel, my dear
+little Miette."
+
+"And why not, papa?"
+
+"Because you do not know the man of whom I speak."
+
+Miette looked at her father, and said, in a serious tone,--
+
+"You say that I don't know your best friend. Come! is it not Monsieur
+Roger?"
+
+It was now the father's turn to look at his child, and, with pleased
+surprise, he said,--
+
+"What? You know?"
+
+"Why, papa, I have so often heard you talk to mamma of your friend Roger
+that I could not be mistaken."
+
+"That is true; you are right."
+
+"Then," continued Miss Miette, "it is Mr. Roger who is going to arrive
+here?"
+
+"It is he," said Monsieur Dalize, joyously.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But Miss Miette did not share her father's joy. She was silent for a
+moment, as if seeking to remember something very important, then she
+lowered her eyes, and murmured, sadly,--
+
+"The poor gentleman."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+TWO FRIENDS.
+
+
+The château of Sainte-Gemme, which was some miles from the village of
+Sens, had belonged to Monsieur Dalize for some years. It was in this old
+château, which had often been restored, but which still preserved its
+dignified appearance, that Monsieur Dalize and his family had come to
+pass the summer.
+
+Monsieur Dalize had become the owner of the property of Sainte-Gemme on
+his retirement from business. He came out at the beginning of every
+May, and did not return to Paris until November. During August and
+September the family was complete, for then it included Albert Dalize,
+who was on vacation from college. With his wife and his children, Albert
+and Mariette, Monsieur Dalize was happy, but sometimes there was a cloud
+upon this happiness. The absence of a friend with whom Monsieur Dalize
+had been brought up, and the terrible sorrows which this friend had
+experienced, cast an occasional gloom over the heart of the owner of
+Sainte-Gemme. This friend was called Roger La Morlière. In the Dalize
+family he was called simply Roger. He was a distinguished chemist. At
+the beginning of his life he had been employed by a manufacturer of
+chemicals in Saint-Denis, and the close neighborhood to Paris enabled
+him frequently to see his friend Dalize, who had succeeded his father in
+a banking-house. Later, some flattering offers had drawn him off to
+Northern France, to the town of Lille. In this city Roger had found a
+charming young girl, whom he loved and whose hand he asked in marriage.
+Monsieur Dalize was one of the witnesses to this marriage, which seemed
+to begin most happily, although neither party was wealthy. Monsieur
+Dalize had already been married at this time, and husband and wife had
+gone to Lille to be present at the union of their friend Roger. Then a
+terrible catastrophe had occurred. Roger had left France and gone to
+America. Ten years had now passed. The two friends wrote each other
+frequently. Monsieur Dalize's letters were full of kindly counsels, of
+encouragement, of consolation. Roger's, though they were affectionate,
+showed that he was tired of life, that his heart was in despair.
+
+Still, Monsieur Dalize, in receiving the telegram which announced the
+return of this well-beloved friend, had only thought of the joy of
+seeing him again. The idea that this friend, whom he had known once so
+happy, would return to him broken by grief had not at first presented
+itself to his mind. Now he began to reflect. An overwhelming sorrow had
+fallen upon the man, and for ten years he had shrouded himself in the
+remembrance of this sorrow. What great changes must he have gone
+through! how different he would look from the Roger he had known!
+
+Monsieur Dalize thought over these things, full of anxiety, his eyes
+fixed upon the shaded alley in front of him.
+
+Miette had softly slipped down from her father's knees, and, seating
+herself by his side upon the bench, she remained silent, knowing that
+she had better say nothing at such a time.
+
+Light steps crunched the gravel, and Madame Dalize approached.
+
+Miss Miette had seen her mother coming, but Monsieur Dalize had seen
+nothing and heard nothing.
+
+In great astonishment Madame Dalize asked, addressing herself rather to
+her daughter than to her husband,--
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+Miss Miette made a slight motion, as if to say that she had better not
+answer; but this time Monsieur Dalize had heard.
+
+He lifted sad eyes to his wife's face.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Now, where has all the joy of the morning fled, my friend?" asked
+Madame Dalize. "And why this sudden sadness?"
+
+"Because this child"--and Monsieur Dalize passed his hand through his
+daughter's thick curls--"has reminded me of the sorrows of Roger."
+
+"Miette?" demanded Madame Dalize. "What has she said to you?"
+
+"She simply said, when I spoke to her of Roger, 'The poor gentleman.'
+And she was right,--the poor gentleman, poor Roger."
+
+"Undoubtedly," answered Madame Dalize; "but ten years have passed since
+that terrible day, and time heals many wounds."
+
+"That is true; but I know Roger, and I know that he has forgotten
+nothing."
+
+"Of course, forgetfulness would not be easy to him over there, in that
+long, solitary exile; but once he has returned here to us, near his
+family, his wounds will have a chance to heal; and, in any case," added
+Madame Dalize, taking her husband's hand, "he will have at hand two
+doctors who are profoundly devoted."
+
+"Yes, my dear wife, you are right; and if he can be cured, we will know
+how to cure him."
+
+Madame Dalize took the telegram from her husband's hands, and read
+this:
+
+"=Monsieur Dalize=, Château de Sainte-Gemme, at Sens:
+
+  "=Friend=,--I am on my way home. Learn at Paris that you
+  are at Sainte-Gemme. May I come there at once?"
+
+                                                 "=Roger.="
+
+"And you answered him?"
+
+"I answered, 'We are awaiting you with the utmost impatience. Take the
+first train.'"
+
+"Will that first train be the eleven-o'clock train?"
+
+"No; I think that Roger will not be able to take the express. The man
+with the telegram will not have reached Sens soon enough, even if he
+hurried, as he promised he would. Then, the time taken to send the
+despatch, to receive it in Paris, and to take it to Roger's address
+would make it more than eleven. So our friend will have to take the next
+train; and you cannot count upon his being here before five o'clock."
+
+"Oh!" cried Miss Miette, in a disappointed tone.
+
+"What is the matter, my child?" asked Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Why, I think----"
+
+"What do you think?"
+
+"Well, papa," Miss Miette at last said, "I think that the railroads and
+the telegrams are far too slow."
+
+Monsieur Dalize could not suppress a smile at hearing this exclamation.
+He turned to his wife, and said,--
+
+"See, how hurried is this younger generation. They think that steam and
+electricity are too slow."
+
+And, turning around to his daughter, he continued,--
+
+"What would you like to have?"
+
+"Why," answered the girl, "I would like to have Monsieur Roger here at
+once."
+
+Her wish was to be fulfilled sooner than she herself could foresee.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+MONSIEUR ROGER.
+
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize went back into the château, and soon
+reappeared in walking-costumes. Miette, who was playing in the shadows
+of the great chestnut-trees, looked up in surprise.
+
+"You are going out walking without me?" said she.
+
+"No, my child," answered Madame Dalize, "we are not going out to take a
+walk at all; but we have to go and make our excuses to Monsieur and
+Madame Sylvestre at the farm, because we shall not be able to dine with
+them this evening, as we had agreed."
+
+"Take me with you," said Miette.
+
+"No; the road is too long and too fatiguing for your little legs."
+
+"Are you going on foot?"
+
+"Certainly," said Monsieur Dalize. "We must keep the horses fresh to
+send them down to meet Roger at the station."
+
+Miss Miette could not help respecting so good a reason, and she resisted
+no longer.
+
+When left alone, she began seriously to wonder what she should do during
+the absence of her parents, which would certainly last over an hour. An
+idea came to her. She went into the château, passed into the
+drawing-room, took down a large album of photographs which was on the
+table, and carried it into her room. She did not have to search long. On
+the first page was the portrait of her mother, on the next was that of
+herself, Miette, and that of her brother Albert. The third page
+contained two portraits of men. One of these portraits was that of her
+father, the other was evidently the one that she was in search of, for
+she looked at it attentively.
+
+"It was a long time ago," she said to herself, "that this photograph was
+made,--ten years ago; but I am sure that I shall recognize Monsieur
+Roger all the same when he returns."
+
+At this very moment Miette heard the sound of a carriage some distance
+off. Surely the carriage was driving through the park. She listened
+with all her ears. Soon the gravelled road leading up to the château was
+crunched under the wheels of the carriage. Miette then saw an
+old-fashioned cab, which evidently had been hired at some hotel in Sens.
+The cab stopped before the threshold. Miette could not see so far from
+her window. She left the album upon her table, and ran down-stairs, full
+of curiosity. In the vestibule she met old Peter, and asked him who it
+was.
+
+"It is a gentleman whom I don't know," said Peter.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"I asked him into the parlor."
+
+Miette approached lightly on tiptoe to the door of the parlor, which was
+open, wishing to see without being seen. She expected she would find in
+this visitor some country neighbor. The gentleman was standing, looking
+out of the glass windows.
+
+From where she was Miette could see his profile. She made a gesture, as
+if to say, "I don't know him;" and she was going to withdraw as slowly
+as possible, with her curiosity unsatisfied, when the gentleman turned
+around. Miette now saw him directly in front of her in the full light.
+His beard and his hair were gray, his forehead was lightly wrinkled on
+the temples, a sombre expression saddened his features. His dress was
+elegant. He walked a few steps in the parlor, coming towards the door,
+but he had not yet seen Miette. In her great surprise she had quickly
+drawn herself back, but she still followed the visitor with her eyes. At
+first she had doubted now she was sure; she could not be mistaken. When
+the gentleman had reached the middle of the parlor, Miette could contain
+herself no longer. She showed herself in the doorway and advanced
+towards the visitor. He stopped, surprised at this pretty apparition.
+Miette came up to him and looked him in the eyes. Then, entirely
+convinced, holding out her arms towards the visitor, she said, softly,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger!"
+
+The gentleman in his turn looked with surprise at the pretty little girl
+who had saluted him by name. He cast a glance towards the door, and,
+seeing that she was alone, more surprised than ever, he looked at her
+long and silently.
+
+Miette, abashed by this scrutiny, drew back a little, and said, with
+hesitation,--
+
+"Tell me: you are surely Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes, I am indeed Monsieur Roger," said the visitor, at last, in a voice
+full of emotion. And, with a kindly smile, he added, "How did you come
+to recognize me, Miss Miette?"
+
+Hearing her own name pronounced in this unexpected manner, Miss Miette
+was struck dumb with astonishment. At the end of a minute, she
+stammered,--
+
+"Why, sir, you know me, then, also?"
+
+"Yes, my child; I have known and loved you for a long time."
+
+And Monsieur Roger caught Miette up in his arms and kissed her
+tenderly.
+
+"Yes," he continued, "I know you, my dear child. Your father has often
+spoken of you in his letters; and has he not sent me also several of
+your photographs when I asked for them?"
+
+"Why, that is funny!" cried Miette.
+
+But she suddenly felt that the word was not dignified enough.
+
+"That is very strange," she said: "for I, too, recognized you from your
+photograph; and it was only five minutes ago, at the very moment when
+you arrived, that I was looking at it, up-stairs in my room. Shall I go
+up and find the album?"
+
+Monsieur Roger held her back.
+
+"No, my child," said he, "remain here by me, and tell me something about
+your father and your mother."
+
+Miette looked up at the clock.
+
+"Papa and mamma may return at any moment. They will talk to you
+themselves a great deal better than I can. All that I can tell you is
+that they are going to be very, very glad; but they did not expect you
+until the evening. How does it happen that you are here already?"
+
+"Because I took the first train,--the 6.30."
+
+"But your telegram?"
+
+"Yes, I sent a despatch last night on arriving at Paris, but I did not
+have the patience to wait for an answer. I departed, hoping they would
+receive me anyway with pleasure; and I already see that I was not
+mistaken."
+
+"No, Monsieur Roger," answered Miette, "you were not mistaken. You are
+going to be very happy here, very happy. There, now! I see papa and
+mamma returning."
+
+The door of the vestibule had just been opened.
+
+They could see Peter exchanging some words with his master and mistress.
+Then hurried steps were heard, and in a moment Monsieur Dalize was in
+the arms of his friend Roger. Miss Miette, who had taken her mamma by
+the arm, obliged her to bend down, and said in her ear,--
+
+"I love him already, our friend Roger."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MONSIEUR ROGER'S STORY.
+
+
+The evening had come, the evening of that happy day when the two
+friends, after ten years of absence, had come together again. Monsieur
+Roger had known from the first that he would find loving and faithful
+hearts just as he had left them. They were all sitting, after dinner, in
+a large vestibule, whose windows, this beautiful evening in autumn,
+opened out upon the sleeping park. For some moments the conversation had
+fallen into an embarrassing silence. Every one looked at Monsieur
+Roger. They thought that he might speak, that he might recount the
+terrible event which had broken his life; but they did not like to ask
+him anything about it. Monsieur Roger was looking at the star-sprinkled
+sky, and seemed to be dreaming, but in his deeper self he had guessed
+the thoughts of his friends and understood he ought to speak. He passed
+his hand over his forehead to chase away a painful impression, and with
+a resolute, but low and soft voice, he said,--
+
+"I see, my friends, my dear friends, I see that you expect from me the
+story of my sorrow."
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize made a sight gesture of negation.
+
+"Yes," continued Monsieur Roger, "I know very well that you do not wish
+it through idle curiosity, that you fear to reawaken my griefs; but to
+whom can I tell my story, if not to you? I owe it to you as a sacred
+debt, and, if I held my tongue, it seems to me a dark spot would come
+upon our friendship. You know what a lovely and charming wife I married.
+Her only fault--a fault only in the eyes of the world--was that she was
+poor. I had the same fault. When my son George came into the world I
+suddenly was filled with new ambitions. I wished, both for his sake and
+for his mother's, to amass wealth, and I worked feverishly and
+continuously in my laboratory. I had a problem before me, and at last I
+succeeded in solving it. I had discovered a new process for treating
+silver ores. Fear nothing: I am not going to enter into technical
+details; but it is necessary that I should explain to you the reason
+which made me"--here Monsieur paused, and then continued, with profound
+sadness--"which made _us_ go to America. Silver ores in most of the
+mines of North America offer very complex combinations in the sulphur,
+bromide, chloride of lime, and iodine, which I found mixed up with the
+precious metal,--that is to say, with the silver. It is necessary to
+free the silver from all these various substances. Now, the known
+processes had not succeeded in freeing the silver in all its purity.
+There was always a certain quantity of the silver which remained alloyed
+with foreign matters, and that much silver was consequently lost. The
+processes which I had discovered made it possible to obtain the entire
+quantity of silver contained in the ore. Not a fraction of the precious
+metal escaped. An English company owning some silver-mines in Texas
+heard of my discovery, and made me an offer. I was to go to Texas for
+ten years. The enterprise was to be at my own risk, but they would give
+me ten per cent on all the ore that I saved. I felt certain to succeed.
+My wife, full of faith in me, urged me to accept. What were we risking?
+A modest situation in a chemical laboratory, which I should always be
+able to obtain again. Over there on the other side of the Atlantic there
+were millions in prospect; and if I did not succeed from the beginning,
+my wife, who drew and painted better than an amateur,--as well as most
+painters, indeed,--and who had excellent letters of recommendation,
+would give drawing-lessons in New Orleans, where the company had its
+head-quarters. We decided to go; but first we came to Paris. I wished
+to say good-by to you and to show you my son, my poor little George, of
+whom I was so proud, and whom you did not know. He was then two and
+one-half years old. My decision had been taken so suddenly that I could
+not announce it to you. When we arrived in Paris, we learned that you
+were in Nice. I wrote to you,--don't you remember?" said Monsieur Roger,
+turning to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, my friend; I have carefully kept that letter of farewell, full of
+hope and of enthusiasm."
+
+"We were going to embark from Liverpool on the steamer which would go
+directly to New Orleans. The steamer was called the Britannic."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped speaking, full of emotion at this recollection.
+At the end of a long silence he again took up the thread of his story.
+
+"The first days of the journey we had had bad weather. And I had passed
+them almost entirely in our state-room with my poor wife and my little
+boy, who were very sea-sick. On the tenth day (it was the 14th of
+December) the weather cleared up, and, notwithstanding a brisk wind from
+the north-east, we were on the deck after dinner. The night had come;
+the stars were already out, though every now and then hidden under
+clouds high up in the sky, which fled quickly out of sight. We were in
+the archipelago of Bahama, not far from Florida.
+
+"'One day more and we shall be in port,' I said to my wife and to
+George, pointing in the direction of New Orleans.
+
+"My wife, full of hope,--too full, alas! poor girl,--said to me, with a
+smile, as she pointed to George,--
+
+"'And this fortune that we have come so far to find, but which we shall
+conquer without doubt, this fortune will all be for this little
+gentleman.'
+
+"George, whom I had just taken upon my knees, guessed that we were
+speaking of him, and he threw his little arms around my neck and touched
+my face with his lips."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+FIRE AT SEA.
+
+
+"At this moment, a moment that I shall never forget, I heard a sudden
+crackling noise, strange and unexpected, coming from a point seemingly
+close to me. I turned around and saw nothing. Nevertheless, I still
+heard that sound in my ears. It was a strange sound. One might have
+thought that an immense punch had been lighted in the interior of the
+ship, and that the liquid, stirred up by invisible hands, was tossed up
+and down, hissing and crackling. The quick movement of my head had
+arrested George in the midst of his caresses. Now he looked up at me
+with astonished eyes. The uneasiness which I felt in spite of the
+absence of any cause must have appeared upon my face, for my wife,
+standing beside me, leaned over to ask, in a subdued voice,--
+
+"'What is the matter?'
+
+"I think I answered, 'Nothing.' But my mind had dwelt upon an awful
+danger,--that danger of which the most hardened seamen speak with a
+beating heart,--fire at sea. Alas! my fears were to be realized. From
+one of the hatches there suddenly leaped up a tongue of flame. At the
+same instant we heard the awful cry, 'Fire!' To add to our distress, the
+wind had increased, and had become so violent that it fanned the flames
+with terrible rapidity, and had enveloped the state-rooms in the rear,
+whence the passengers were running, trembling and crying. In a few
+minutes the back of the ship was all on fire. My wife had snatched
+George from my arms, and held him closely against her breast, ready to
+save him or die with him. The captain, in the midst of the panic of the
+passengers, gave his orders. The boats were being lowered into the
+sea,--those at least which remained, for two had already been attacked
+by the fire. Accident threw the captain between me and my wife at the
+very moment when he was crying out to his men to allow none but the
+women and children in the boats. He recognized me. I had been introduced
+to him by a common friend, and he said, in a voice choked with emotion,
+pointing to my wife and my son,--
+
+"'Embrace them!'
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Then he tore them both from my arms and pushed and carried them to the
+last boat, which was already too full. Night had come. With the rise of
+the wind, clouds had collected, obscuring the sky. By the light of the
+fire I saw for the last time--yes, for the last time--my wife and my
+child in the boat, shaken by an angry sea. Both were looking towards me.
+Did they see me also for the last time? And in my agony I cried out,
+'George! George!' with a voice so loud that my son must surely have
+heard that last cry. Yes, he must have heard it. I stood rooted to the
+spot, looking without seeing anything, stupefied by this hopeless
+sorrow, not even feeling the intense heat of the flames, which were
+coming towards me. But the captain saw me. He ran towards me, drew me
+violently back, and threw me in the midst of the men, who were beginning
+a determined struggle against the fire which threatened to devour them.
+The instinct of life, the hope to see again my loved ones, gave me
+courage. I did as the others. Some of the passengers applied themselves
+to the chain; the pumps set in motion threw masses of water into the
+fire; but it seemed impossible to combat it, for it was alcohol which
+was burning. They had been obliged to repack part of the hold, where
+there were a number of demijohns of alcohol which the bad weather the
+first days had displaced. During the work one of these vast stone
+bottles had fallen and broken. As ill luck would have it, the alcohol
+descended in a rain upon a lamp in the story below, and the alcohol had
+taken fire. So I had not been mistaken when the first sound had made me
+think of the crackling of a punch. We worked with an energy which can
+only be found in moments of this sort. The captain inspired us with
+confidence. At one time we had hope. The flames had slackened, or at
+least we supposed so; but in fact they had only gone another way, and
+reached the powder-magazine. A violent explosion succeeded, and one of
+the masts was hurled into the sea. Were we lost? No; for the engineer
+had had a sudden inspiration. He had cut the pipes, and immediately
+directed upon the flames torrents of steam from the engine. A curtain of
+vapor lifted itself up between us and the fire, a curtain which the
+flames could not penetrate. Then the pumps worked still more
+effectually. We were saved."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+MISS MIETTE'S FORTUNE.
+
+
+"The rudder no longer guided us. What a night we passed! We made a
+roll-call: how many were wanting? and the boats which contained our
+wives, our children,--had those boats found a refuge? had they reached
+land anywhere? The ocean was still rough, and, notwithstanding the
+captain's words of hope, I was in despair,--anticipating the sorrow that
+was to overwhelm me. Every one remained on deck. At daybreak a new
+feeling of sadness seized us at the sight of our steamer, deformed and
+blackened by the fire. The deck for more than forty yards was nothing
+but a vast hole, at the bottom of which were lying, pell-mell,
+half-consumed planks and beams, windlasses blackened by fire, bits of
+wood, and formless masses of metal over which the tongues of flame had
+passed. Notwithstanding all this the steamer was slowly put in motion.
+We were able to reach Havana. There we hoped we might hear some news.
+And we did hear news,--but what news! A sailing-vessel had found on the
+morrow of the catastrophe a capsized boat on the coast of the island of
+Andros, where the boat had evidently been directed. A sailor who had
+tied himself to the boat, and whom they at first thought dead, was
+recalled to life, and told his story of the fire. From Havana, where the
+sailing-vessel had stopped, a rescuing-party was at once sent out. They
+found and brought back with them the débris of boats broken against the
+rocks and also many dead bodies. These were all laid out in a large
+room, where the remaining passengers of the Britannic were invited. We
+had to count the dead; we had to identify them. With what agony, with
+what cruel heart-beats I entered the room. I closed my eyes. I tried to
+persuade myself that I would not find there the beings that were so dear
+to me. I wished to believe that they had been saved, my dear ones, while
+my other companions in misfortune were all crying and sobbing. At last I
+opened my eyes, and, the strength of my vision being suddenly increased
+to a wonderful degree, I saw that in this long line of bodies there was
+no child. That was my first thought. May my poor wife forgive me! She
+also was not there; but it was not long before she came. That very
+evening a rescuing-party brought back her corpse with the latest found."
+
+Monsieur Roger ceased speaking. He looked at his friends, Monsieur and
+Madame Dalize, who were silently weeping; then his eyes travelled to
+Miette. She was not crying; her look, sad but astonished, interested,
+questioned Monsieur Roger. He thought, "She cannot understand sorrow,
+this little girl, who has not had any trials."
+
+And the eyes of Miette seemed to answer, "But George? George? did they
+not find him?"
+
+At last Monsieur Roger understood this thought in the mind of Miette
+without any necessity on her part to express it by her lips, and, as if
+he were answering to a verbal question, he said, shaking his head,--
+
+"No, they never found him."
+
+Miette expected this answer; then she too began to weep.
+
+Monsieur Dalize repeated the last words of Monsieur Roger.
+
+"They did not find him! I do not dare to ask you, my dear friend, if you
+preserve any hope."
+
+"Yes, I hope. I forced myself to hope for a long time. But the ocean
+kept my child in the same way that it buried in its depths many other
+victims of this catastrophe, for it was that very hope that made me
+remain in America. I might have returned to France and given up my
+engagements; but there I was closer to news, if there were any; and,
+besides, in work, in hard labor to which I intended to submit my body, I
+expected to find, if not forgetfulness, at least that weariness which
+dampens the spirit. I remained ten years in Texas, and I returned to-day
+without ever having forgotten that terrible night."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There was a silence. Then Monsieur Dalize, wishing to create a
+diversion, asked,--
+
+"How does it happen that you did not announce to me beforehand your
+return. It was not until I received your telegram this morning that we
+learned this news which made us so happy. I had no reason to expect
+that your arrival would be so sudden. Did you not say that you were to
+remain another six months, and perhaps a year, in Texas?"
+
+"Yes; and I did then think that I should be forced to prolong my stay
+for some months. My contract was ended, my work was done. I was free,
+but the mining-company wished to retain me. They wanted me to sign a new
+contract, and to this end they invented all sorts of pretexts to keep me
+where I was. As I did not wish to go to law against the people through
+whom I had made my fortune, I determined to wait, hoping that my
+patience would tire them out; and that, in fact, is what happened. The
+company bowed before my decision. This good news reached me on the eve
+of the departure of a steamer. I did not hesitate for a moment; I at
+once took ship. I might indeed have given you notice on the way, but I
+wished to reserve to myself the happiness of surprising you. It was not
+until I reached Paris that I decided to send you a despatch; and even
+then I did not have the strength to await your reply."
+
+"Dear Roger!" said Monsieur Dalize. "And then your process, your
+discovery, succeeded entirely?"
+
+"Yes, I have made a fortune,--a large fortune. I have told you that the
+enterprise was at my risk, but that the company would give me ten per
+cent. on all the ore that I would succeed in saving. Now, the mines of
+Texas used to produce four million dollars' worth a year. Thanks to my
+process, they produce nearly a million more. In ten years you can well
+see what was my portion."
+
+"Splendid!" said Monsieur Dalize; "it represents a sum of----"
+
+Madame Dalize interrupted her husband.
+
+"Miette," said she, "cannot you do that little sum for us, my child?"
+
+Miette wiped her eyes and ceased crying. Her mother's desire had been
+reached. The little girl took a pencil, and, after making her mother
+repeat the question to her, put down some figures upon a sheet of paper.
+After a moment she said, not without hesitation, for the sum appeared to
+her enormous,--
+
+"Why! it is a million dollars that Monsieur Roger has made!"
+
+"Exactly," said Monsieur Roger; "and, my dear child, you have, without
+knowing it, calculated pretty closely the fortune which you will receive
+from me as your wedding portion."
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize looked up with astonishment. Miette gazed at
+Monsieur Roger without understanding.
+
+"My dear friends," said Roger, turning to Monsieur and Madame Dalize,
+"you will not refuse me the pleasure of giving my fortune to Miss
+Miette. I have no one else in the world; and does not Mariette represent
+both of you? Where would my money be better placed?"
+
+And turning towards Miss Miette, he said to her,--
+
+"Yes, my child, that million will be yours on your marriage."
+
+Miette looked from her mother to her father, not knowing whether she
+ought to accept, and seriously embarrassed. With a sweet smile, Monsieur
+Roger added,--
+
+"And so, you see, you will be able to choose a husband that you like."
+
+Then, quietly and without hesitation, Miss Miette said,--
+
+"It will be Paul Solange."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+VACATION.
+
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize could not help smiling in listening to this
+frank declaration of their daughter: "It will be Paul Solange."
+
+Monsieur Roger smiled in his turn, and said,--
+
+"What! has Miss Miette already made her choice?"
+
+"It is an amusing bit of childishness," answered Madame Dalize, "as you
+see. But, really, Miss Miette, although she teases him often, has a very
+kindly feeling for our friend Paul Solange."
+
+"And who is this happy little mortal?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"A friend of Albert's," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Albert, your son?" said Monsieur Roger, to whom this name and this word
+were always painful. Then he added,--
+
+"I should like very much to see him, your son."
+
+"You shall soon see him, my dear Roger," answered Monsieur Dalize.
+"Vacation begins to-morrow morning, and to-morrow evening Albert will be
+at Sainte-Gemme."
+
+"With Paul?" asked Miss Miette.
+
+"Why, certainly," said Madame Dalize, laughing; "with your friend Paul
+Solange."
+
+Monsieur Roger asked,--
+
+"How old is Albert at present?"
+
+"In his thirteenth year," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger remained silent. He was thinking that his little George,
+if he had lived, would also be big now, and, like the son of Monsieur
+Dalize, would be in his thirteenth year.
+
+Next day the horses were harnessed, and all four went down to the
+station to meet the five-o'clock train. When Albert and Paul jumped out
+from the train, and had kissed Monsieur and Madame Dalize and Miss
+Miette, they looked with some surprise at Monsieur Roger, whom they did
+not know.
+
+"Albert," said Monsieur Dalize, showing Monsieur Roger to his son, "why
+don't you salute our friend Roger?"
+
+"Is this Monsieur Roger?" cried Albert, and the tone of his voice
+showed that his father had taught him to know and to love the man who
+now, with his eyes full of tears, was pressing him to his heart.
+
+"And you too, Paul, don't you want to embrace our friend?" said Monsieur
+Dalize.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Paul Solange, with a sad and respectful gravity,
+which struck Monsieur Roger and at once called up his affection.
+
+On the way, Monsieur Roger, who was looking with emotion upon the two
+young people, but whose eyes were particularly fixed upon Paul, said, in
+a low voice, to Monsieur Dalize,--
+
+"They are charming children."
+
+"And it is especially Paul whom you think charming; acknowledge it,"
+answered Monsieur Dalize, in the same tone.
+
+"Why should Paul please me more than Albert?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Ah, my poor friend," replied Monsieur Dalize, "because the father of
+Albert is here and the father of Paul is far away."
+
+Monsieur Dalize was right. Monsieur Roger, without wishing it, had felt
+his sympathies attracted more strongly to this child, who was, for the
+time being, fatherless. He bent over to Monsieur Dalize, and asked,--
+
+"Where is Paul's father?"
+
+"In Martinique, where he does a big business in sugar-cane and coffee.
+Monsieur Solange was born in France, and he decided that his son should
+come here to study."
+
+"I can understand that," replied Monsieur Roger; "but what a sorrow this
+exile must cause the mother of this child!"
+
+"Paul has no mother: she died several years ago."
+
+"Poor boy!" murmured Monsieur Roger, and his growing friendship became
+all the stronger.
+
+That evening, after dinner, when coffee was being served, Miss Miette,
+who was in a very good humor, was seized with the desire to tease her
+little friend Paul.
+
+"Say, Paul," she asked, from one end of the table to the other, "how
+many prizes did you take this year?"
+
+Paul, knowing that an attack was coming, began to smile, and answered,
+good-naturedly,--
+
+"You know very well, you naughty girl. You have already asked me, and I
+have told you."
+
+"Ah, that is true," said Miette, with affected disdain: "you took one
+prize,--one poor little prize,--bah!"
+
+Then, after a moment, she continued,--
+
+"That is not like my brother: he took several prizes, _he_ did,--a prize
+for Latin, a prize for history, a prize for mathematics, a prize for
+physical science, and a prize for chemistry. Well, well! and you,--you
+only took one prize; and that is the same one you took last year!"
+
+"Yes," said Paul, without minding his friend's teasing; "but last year I
+took only the second prize, and this year I took the first."
+
+"You have made some progress," said Miss Miette, sententiously.
+
+Monsieur Roger had been interested in the dialogue.
+
+"May I ask what prize Master Paul Solange has obtained?"
+
+"A poor little first prize for drawing only," answered Miette.
+
+"Ah, you love drawing?" said Monsieur Roger, looking at Paul.
+
+But it was Miette who answered: "He loves nothing else."
+
+Monsieur Dalize now, in his turn, took up the conversation, and said,--
+
+"The truth is that our friend Paul has a passion for drawing. History
+and Latin please him a little, but for chemistry and the physical
+sciences he has no taste at all."
+
+Monsieur Roger smiled.
+
+"You are wrong," replied Monsieur Dalize, "to excuse by your smile
+Paul's indifference to the sciences.--And as to you, Paul, you would do
+well to take as your example Monsieur Roger, who would not have his
+fortune if he had not known chemistry and the physical sciences. In our
+day the sciences are indispensable."
+
+Miss Miette, who had shoved herself a little away from the table,
+pouting slightly, heard these words, and came to the defence of the one
+whom she had begun by attacking. She opened a book full of pictures, and
+advanced with it to her father.
+
+"Now, papa," she said, with a look of malice in her eyes, "did the
+gentleman who made that drawing have to know anything about chemistry or
+the physical sciences?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DRAWING LESSON.
+
+
+For a moment Monsieur Dalize was disconcerted, and knew not what to say
+in answer. Happily, Monsieur Roger came to his aid. He took the book
+from Miette's hands, looked at the engraving, and said, quietly,--
+
+"Why, certainly, my dear young friend, the gentleman who made that
+drawing ought to know something about chemistry and physical science."
+
+"How so?" said Miette, astonished.
+
+"Why, if he did not know the laws of physical science and of chemistry,
+he has, none the less, and perhaps even without knowing it himself,
+availed himself of the results of chemistry and physical science."
+
+Miette took the book back again, looked at the drawing with care, and
+said,--
+
+"Still, there are not in this drawing instruments or apparatus, or
+machines such as I have seen in my brother's books."
+
+"But," answered Monsieur Roger, smiling, "it is not necessary that you
+should see instruments and apparatus and machines, as you say, to be in
+the presence of physical phenomena; and I assure you, my dear child,
+that this drawing which is under our eyes is connected with chemistry
+and physical science."
+
+Miette now looked up at Monsieur Roger to see if he was not making fun
+of her. Monsieur Roger translated this dumb interrogation, and said,--
+
+"Come, now! what does this drawing represent? Tell me yourself."
+
+"Why, it represents two peasants,--a man and a woman,--who have returned
+home wet in the storm, and who are warming and drying themselves before
+the fire."
+
+"It is, in fact, exactly that."
+
+"Very well, sir?" asked Miette.
+
+And in this concise answer she meant to say, "In all that, what do you
+see that is connected with chemistry or physical science?"
+
+"Very well," continued Monsieur Roger; "do you see this light mist, this
+vapor, which is rising from the cloak that the peasant is drying before
+the fire?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, that is physical science," said Monsieur Roger.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"How do you mean?" asked Miette.
+
+"I will explain in a moment. Let us continue to examine the picture. Do
+you see that a portion of the wood is reduced to ashes?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you also remark the flame and the smoke which are rising up the
+chimney?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is chemistry."
+
+"Ah!" said Miss Miette, at a loss for words.
+
+Every one was listening to Monsieur Roger, some of them interested, the
+others amused. Miette glanced over at her friend Paul.
+
+"What do you think of that?" she asked.
+
+Paul did not care to reply. Albert wished to speak, but he stopped at a
+gesture from his father. Monsieur Dalize knew that the real interest of
+this scene lay with Monsieur Roger, the scientist, who was already loved
+by all this little world. Miette, as nobody else answered, returned to
+Monsieur Roger.
+
+"But why," she asked, "is that physical science? Why is it chemistry?"
+
+"Because it is physical science and chemistry," said Monsieur Roger,
+simply.
+
+"Oh, but you have other reasons to give us!" said Madame Dalize, who
+understood what Monsieur Roger was thinking of.
+
+"Yes," added Miette.
+
+And even Paul, with unusual curiosity, nodded his head affirmatively.
+
+"The reasons will be very long to explain, and would bore you," said
+Monsieur Dalize, certain that he would in this way provoke a protest.
+
+The protest, in fact, came.
+
+Monsieur Roger was obliged to speak.
+
+"Well," said he, still addressing himself to Miss Miette, "this drawing
+is concerned with physical science, because the peasant, in placing his
+cloak before the heat of the fire, causes the phenomenon of evaporation
+to take place. The vapor which escapes from the damp cloth is water, is
+nothing but water, and will always be water under a different form. It
+is water modified, and modified for a moment, because this vapor, coming
+against the cold wall or other cold objects, will condense. That is to
+say, it will become again liquid water,--water similar to that which it
+was a moment ago; and that is a physical phenomenon,--for physical
+science aims to study the modifications which alter the form, the color,
+the appearance of bodies, but only their temporary modifications, which
+leave intact all the properties of bodies. Our drawing is concerned with
+chemistry, because the piece of wood which burns disappears, leaving in
+its place cinders in the hearth and gases which escape through the
+chimney. Here there is a complete modification, an absolute change of
+the piece of wood. Do what you will, you would be unable, by collecting
+together the cinders and gases, to put together again the log of wood
+which has been burned; and that is a chemical phenomenon,--for the aim
+of chemistry is to study the durable and permanent modifications, after
+which bodies retain none of their original properties. Another example
+may make more easy this distinction between physical science and
+chemistry. Suppose that you put into the fire a bar of iron. That bar
+will expand and become red. Its color, its form, its dimensions will be
+modified, but it will always remain a bar of iron. That is a physical
+phenomenon. Instead of this bar of iron, put in the fire a bit of
+sulphur. It will flame up and burn in disengaging a gas of a peculiar
+odor, which is called sulphuric acid. This sulphuric-acid gas can be
+condensed and become a liquid, but it no longer contains the properties
+of sulphur. It is no longer a piece of sulphur, and can never again
+become a piece of sulphur. The modification of this body is therefore
+durable, and therefore permanent. Now, that is a chemical phenomenon."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped for a moment; then, paying no apparent attention
+to Paul, who, however, was listening far more attentively than one could
+imagine he would, he looked at Miette, and said,--
+
+"I don't know, my child, if I have explained myself clearly enough; but
+you must certainly understand that in their case the artist has
+represented, whether he wished to or not, the physical phenomenon and
+the chemical phenomenon."
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Miette, "I have understood quite well."
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Dalize, "since you are so good a teacher, don't
+you think that you could, during vacation, cause a little chemistry and
+a little physical science to enter into that little head?" And he
+pointed to Paul Solange.
+
+The latter, notwithstanding the sentiment of respectful sympathy which
+he felt for Monsieur Roger, and although he had listened with interest
+to his explanations, could not prevent a gesture of fear, so pronounced
+that everybody began to laugh.
+
+Miette, who wished to console her good friend Paul and obtain his pardon
+for her teasing, came up to him, and said,--
+
+"Come, console yourself, Paul; I will let you take my portrait a dozen
+times, as you did last year,--although it is very tiresome to pose for a
+portrait."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE TOWER OF HEURTEBIZE.
+
+
+Next morning at six o'clock Paul Solange opened the door of the château
+and stepped out on to the lawn. He held a sketch-book in his hand. He
+directed his steps along a narrow pathway, shaded by young elms, towards
+one of the gates of the park. At a turning in the alley he found himself
+face to face with Monsieur Roger, who was walking slowly and
+thoughtfully. Paul stopped, and in his surprise could not help
+saying,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger, already up?"
+
+Monsieur answered, smiling,--
+
+"But you also, Master Paul, you are, like me, already up. Are you
+displeased to meet me?"
+
+"Oh, no, sir," Paul hastened to say, blushing a little. "Why should I be
+displeased at meeting you?"
+
+"Then, may I ask you where you are going so early in the morning?"
+
+"Over there," said Paul, stretching his hand towards a high wooded hill:
+"over there to Heurtebize."
+
+"And what are you going to do over there?"
+
+Paul answered by showing his sketch-book.
+
+"Ah, you are going to draw?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am going to draw, to take a sketch of the tower; that old
+tower which you see on the right side of the hill."
+
+"Well, Master Paul, will you be so kind," asked Monsieur Roger, "as to
+allow me to go with you and explore this old tower?"
+
+Paul, on hearing this proposal, which he could not refuse, made an
+involuntary movement of dismay, exactly similar to that he had made the
+night before.
+
+"Oh, fear nothing," said Monsieur Roger, good-naturedly. "I will not
+bore you either with physical science nor chemistry. I hope you will
+accept me, therefore, as your companion on the way, without any
+apprehensions of that kind of annoyance."
+
+"Then, let us go, sir," answered Paul, a little ashamed to have had his
+thoughts so easily guessed.
+
+They took a short cut across the fields, passing wide expanses of
+blossoming clover; they crossed a road, they skirted fields of wheat and
+of potatoes. At last they arrived upon the wooded hill of Heurtebize, at
+the foot of the old tower, which still proudly raised its head above the
+valleys.
+
+"What a lovely landscape!" said Monsieur Roger, when he had got his
+breath.
+
+"The view is beautiful," said Paul, softly; "but it is nothing like the
+view you get up above there."
+
+"Up above?" said Monsieur Roger, without understanding.
+
+"Yes, from the summit of the tower."
+
+"You have climbed up the tower?"
+
+"Several times."
+
+"But it is falling into ruins, this poor tower; it has only one fault,
+that of having existed for two or three hundred years."
+
+"It is indeed very old," answered Paul; "it is the last vestige of the
+old château of Sainte-Gemme, which, it is said, was built in the
+sixteenth century, or possibly even a century or two earlier; nobody is
+quite certain as to the date; at all events, the former proprietors
+several years ago determined to preserve it, and they even commenced
+some repairs upon it. The interior stairway has been put in part into
+sufficiently good condition to enable you to use it, if you at the same
+time call a little bit of gymnastics to your aid, as you will have to
+do at a few places. And I have used it in this way very often; but
+please now be good enough to----"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Paul stopped, hesitating.
+
+"Good enough to what? Tell me."
+
+Then Paul Solange added,--
+
+"To say nothing of this to Madame Dalize. That would make her uneasy."
+
+"Not only will I say nothing, my dear young friend, but I will join you
+in the ascent,--for I have the greatest desire to do what you are going
+to do, and to ascend the tower with you."
+
+Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, and said, quickly,--
+
+"But, sir, there is danger."
+
+"Bah! as there is none for you, why should there be danger for me?"
+
+Somewhat embarrassed, Paul replied,--
+
+"I am young, sir; more active than you, perhaps, and----"
+
+"If that is your only reason, my friend, do not disturb yourself. Let us
+try the ascent."
+
+"On one condition, sir."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"That I go up first."
+
+"Yes, my dear friend, I consent. You shall go first," said Monsieur
+Roger, who would have himself suggested this if the idea had not come to
+Paul.
+
+Both of them, Monsieur Roger and Paul, had at this moment the same idea
+of self-sacrifice. Paul said to himself, "If any accident happens, it
+will happen to me, and not to Monsieur Roger." And Monsieur Roger, sure
+of his own strength, thought, "If Paul should happen to fall, very
+likely I may be able to catch him and save him."
+
+Luckily, the ascent, though somewhat difficult, was accomplished
+victoriously, and Monsieur Roger was enabled to recognize that the
+modified admiration which Paul Solange felt for the landscape, as seen
+from below, was entirely justified.
+
+Paul asked,--
+
+"How high is this tower? A hundred feet?"
+
+"Less than that, I think," answered Monsieur Roger. "Still, it will be
+easy to find out exactly in a moment."
+
+"In a moment?" asked Paul.
+
+"Yes, in a moment."
+
+"Without descending?"
+
+"No; we will remain where we are."
+
+Paul made a gesture which clearly indicated, "I would like to see that."
+
+Monsieur Roger understood.
+
+"There is no lack of pieces of stone in this tower; take one," said he
+to Paul.
+
+Paul obeyed.
+
+"You will let this stone fall to the earth at the very moment that I
+tell you to do so."
+
+Monsieur Roger drew out his watch and looked carefully at the
+second-hand.
+
+"Now, let go," he said.
+
+Paul opened his hand; the stone fell. It could be heard striking the
+soil at the foot of the tower. Monsieur Roger, who during the fall of
+the stone had had his eyes fixed upon his watch, said,--
+
+"The tower is not very high." Then he added, after a moment of
+reflection, "The tower is sixty-two and a half feet in height."
+
+Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, thinking that he was laughing at him.
+Monsieur Roger lifted his eyes to Paul; he looked quite serious. Then
+Paul said, softly,--
+
+"The tower is sixty feet high?"
+
+"Sixty-two and a half feet,--for the odd two and a half feet must not be
+forgotten in our computation."
+
+Paul was silent. Then, seeing that Monsieur Roger was ready to smile,
+and mistaking the cause of this smile, he said,--
+
+"You are joking, are you not? You cannot know that the tower is really
+sixty feet high?"
+
+"Sixty-two feet and six inches," repeated Monsieur Roger again. "That is
+exact. Do you want to have it proved to you?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," said Paul Solange, with real curiosity.
+
+"Very well. Go back to the château, and bring me a ball of twine and a
+yard-measure."
+
+"I run," said Paul.
+
+"Take care!" cried Monsieur Roger, seeing how quickly Paul was hurrying
+down the tower.
+
+When Paul had safely reached the ground, Monsieur Roger said to himself,
+with an air of satisfaction,--
+
+"Come, come! we will make something out of that boy yet!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
+
+
+Paul returned to the tower more quickly than Monsieur Roger had
+expected. Instead of returning to the château, he had taken the shortest
+cut, had reached the village, and had procured there the two things
+wanted. He climbed up the tower and arrived beside Monsieur Roger,
+holding out the ball of twine and the yard-stick.
+
+"You are going to see, you little doubter, that I was not wrong," said
+Monsieur Roger.
+
+He tied a stone to the twine, and let it down outside the tower to the
+ground.
+
+"This length of twine," he said, "represents exactly the height of the
+tower, does it not?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Paul.
+
+Monsieur Roger made a knot in the twine at the place where it rested on
+the top of the tower. Then he asked Paul to take the yard-stick which he
+had brought, and to hold it extended between his two hands. Then,
+drawing up the twine which hung outside the tower, he measured it yard
+by yard. Paul counted. When he had reached the number sixty, he could
+not help bending over to see how much remained of the twine.
+
+"Ah, sir," he cried, "I think you have won."
+
+"Let us finish our count," said Monsieur Roger, quietly.
+
+And Paul counted,--
+
+"Sixty-one, sixty-two,--sixty-two feet----"
+
+"And?"
+
+"And six inches!" cried Paul.
+
+"I have won, as you said, my young friend," cried Monsieur Roger, who
+enjoyed Paul's surprise. "Now let us cautiously descend and return to
+the château, where the breakfast-bell will soon ring."
+
+The descent was made in safety, and they directed their steps towards
+Sainte-Gemme. Paul walked beside Monsieur Roger without saying anything.
+He was deep in thought.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Monsieur Roger, understanding what was going on in the brain of his
+friend, took care not to disturb him. He waited, hoping for an answer.
+His hope was soon realized. As they reached the park, Paul, who, after
+thinking a great deal, had failed to solve the difficulty, said, all of
+a sudden,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger!"
+
+"What, my friend?"
+
+"How did you measure the tower?"
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at Paul, and, affecting a serious air, he said,--
+
+"It is impossible, entirely impossible for me to answer."
+
+"Impossible?" cried Paul, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, impossible."
+
+"Why, please?"
+
+"Because in answering I will break the promise that I have made
+you,--the promise to say nothing about chemistry or physical science."
+
+"Ah!" said Paul, becoming silent again.
+
+Monsieur Roger glanced at his companion from the corner of his eye,
+knowing that his curiosity would soon awake again. At the end of the
+narrow, shady pathway they soon saw the red bricks of the château
+shining in the sun; but Paul had not yet renewed his question, and
+Monsieur Roger began to be a little uneasy,--for, if Paul held his
+tongue, it would show that his curiosity had vanished, and another
+occasion to revive it would be difficult to find.
+
+Luckily, Paul decided to speak at the very moment when they reached the
+château.
+
+"Then," said he, expressing the idea which was uppermost,--"Then it is
+physical science?"
+
+Monsieur Roger asked, in an indifferent tone,--
+
+"What is physical science?"
+
+"Your method of measuring the tower."
+
+"Yes, it is physical science, as you say. Consequently, you see very
+well that I cannot answer you."
+
+"Ah, Monsieur Roger," said Paul, embarrassed, "you are laughing at me."
+
+"Not at all, my friend. I made a promise; I must hold to it. I have a
+great deal of liking for you, and I don't want you to dislike me."
+
+"Oh, sir!"
+
+Suddenly they heard the voice of Monsieur Dalize, who cried,
+cheerfully,--
+
+"See, they are already quarrelling!"
+
+For some moments Monsieur Dalize, at the door of the vestibule,
+surrounded by his wife and his children, had been gazing at the two
+companions. Monsieur Roger and Paul approached.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Monsieur Dalize, shaking hands with his
+friend.
+
+"A very strange thing has happened," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"Simply that Master Paul wants me to speak to him of physical science."
+
+An astonished silence, soon followed by a general laugh, greeted these
+words. Miss Miette took a step forward, looked at Paul with an uneasy
+air, and said,--
+
+"Are you sick, my little Paul?"
+
+Paul, confused, kept silent, but he answered by a reproachful look the
+ironical question of his friend Miette.
+
+"But whence could such a change have come?" asked Madame Dalize,
+addressing Monsieur Roger. "Explain to us what has happened."
+
+"Here are the facts," answered Monsieur Roger. "We had climbed up the
+tower of Heurtebize----"
+
+Madame Dalize started, and turned a look of uneasiness towards Paul.
+
+"Paul was not at fault," Monsieur Roger hastened to add. "I was the
+guilty one. Well, we were up there, when Master Paul got the idea of
+estimating the height of the tower. I answered that nothing was more
+simple than to know it at once. I asked him to let fall a stone. I
+looked at my watch while the stone was falling, and I said, 'The tower
+is sixty-two feet and six inches high.' Master Paul seemed to be
+astonished. He went after a yard-stick and some twine. We measured the
+tower, and Master Paul has recognized that the tower is in fact
+sixty-two feet and six inches high. Now he wants me to tell him how I
+have been able so simply, with so little trouble, to learn the height.
+That is a portion of physical science; and, as I made Master Paul a
+promise this very morning not to speak to him of physical science nor of
+chemistry, you see it is impossible for me to answer."
+
+Monsieur Dalize understood at once what his friend Roger had in view,
+and, assuming the same air, he answered,--
+
+"Certainly, it is impossible; you are perfectly right. You promised; you
+must keep your promise."
+
+"Unless," said Miss Miette, taking sides with her friend Paul,--"unless
+Paul releases Monsieur Roger from his promise."
+
+"You are entirely right, my child," said Monsieur Roger; "should Paul
+release me sufficiently to ask me to answer him. But, as I remarked to
+you a moment ago, I fear that he will repent too quickly, and take a
+dislike to me. That I should be very sorry for."
+
+"No, sir, I will not repent. I promise you that."
+
+"Very well," said Miette; "there is another promise. You know that you
+will have to keep it."
+
+"But," answered Monsieur Roger, turning to Paul, "it will be necessary
+for me to speak to you of weight, of the fall of bodies, of gravitation;
+and I am very much afraid that that will weary you."
+
+"No, sir," answered Paul, very seriously, "that will not weary me. On
+the contrary, that will interest me, if it teaches me how you managed to
+calculate the height of the tower."
+
+"It will certainly teach you that."
+
+"Then I am content," said Paul.
+
+"And I also," said Monsieur Roger to himself, happy to have attained his
+object so soon.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SMOKE WHICH FALLS.
+
+
+In the evening, after dinner, Monsieur Roger, to whom Paul recalled his
+promise, asked Miette to go and find him a pebble in the pathway before
+the château. When he had the bit of stone in his hand, Monsieur Roger
+let it fall from the height of about three feet.
+
+"As you have just heard and seen," said he, addressing Paul, "this stone
+in falling from a small height produces only a feeble shock, but if it
+falls from the height of the house upon the flagstones of the pavement,
+the shock would be violent enough to break it."
+
+Monsieur Roger interrupted himself, and put this question to Paul:
+
+"Possibly you may have asked yourself why this stone should fall. Why do
+bodies fall?"
+
+"Goodness knows," said the small voice of Miss Miette in the midst of
+the silence that followed.
+
+"Miette," said Madame Dalize, "be serious, and don't answer for others."
+
+"But, mamma, I am sure that Paul would have answered the same as I
+did:--would you not, Paul?"
+
+Paul bent his head slightly as a sign that Miette was not mistaken.
+
+"Well," continued Monsieur Roger, "another one before you did ask
+himself this question. It was a young man of twenty-three years, named
+Newton. He found himself one fine evening in a garden, sitting under an
+apple-tree, when an apple fell at his feet. This common fact, whose
+cause had never awakened the attention of anybody, filled all his
+thoughts; and, as the moon was shining in the heavens, Newton asked
+himself why the moon did not fall like the apple."
+
+"That is true," said Miette; "why does not the moon fall?"
+
+"Listen, and you will hear," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"By much reflection, by hard work and calculation, Newton made an
+admirable discovery,--that of universal attraction. Yes, he discovered
+that all bodies, different though they may be, attract each other: they
+draw towards each other; the bodies which occupy the celestial
+spaces,--planets and suns,--as well as the bodies which are found upon
+our earth. The force which attracts bodies towards the earth, which made
+this stone fall, as Newton's apple fell, has received the name of
+weight. Weight, therefore, is the attraction of the earth for articles
+which are on its surface. Why does this table, around which we find
+ourselves, remain in the same place? Why does it not slide or fly away?
+Simply because it is retained by the attraction of the earth. I have
+told you that all bodies attract each other. It is therefore quite true
+that in the same way as the earth attracts the table, so does the table
+attract the earth."
+
+"Like a loadstone," said Albert Dalize.
+
+"Well, you may compare the earth in this instance to a loadstone. The
+loadstone draws the iron, and iron draws the loadstone, exactly as the
+earth and the table draw each other; but you can understand that the
+earth attracts the table with far more force than the table attracts the
+earth."
+
+"Yes," said Miette; "because the earth is bigger than the table."
+
+"Exactly so. It has been discovered that bodies attract each other in
+proportion to their size,--that is to say, the quantity of matter
+that they contain. On the other hand, the farther bodies are from each
+other the less they attract each other. I should translate in this
+fashion the scientific formula which tells us that bodies attract each
+other in an inverse ratio to the square of the distance. I would remind
+you that the square of a number is the product obtained by multiplying
+that number by itself. So all bodies are subject to that force which we
+call weight; all substances, all matter abandoned to itself, falls to
+the earth."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Just here Miss Miette shifted uneasily on her chair, wishing to make an
+observation, but not daring.
+
+"Come, Miss Miette," said Monsieur Roger, who saw this manoeuvre, "you
+have something to tell us. Your little tongue is itching to say
+something. Well, speak; we should all like to hear you."
+
+"Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "is not smoke a substance?"
+
+"Certainly; the word substance signifies something that exists. Smoke
+exists. Therefore it is a substance."
+
+"Then," replied Miette, with an air of contentment with herself, "as
+smoke is a substance, there is one substance which does not fall to the
+earth. Indeed, it does just the opposite."
+
+"Ah! Miss Miette wants to catch me," said Monsieur Roger.
+
+Miette made a gesture of modest denial, but at heart she was very proud
+of the effect which she had produced, for every one looked at her with
+interest.
+
+"To the smoke of which you speak," continued Monsieur Roger, "you might
+add balloons, and even clouds."
+
+"Certainly, that is true," answered Miette, näively.
+
+"Very well; although smoke and balloons rise in the air instead of
+falling, although clouds remain suspended above our heads, smoke and
+balloons and clouds are none the less bodies with weight. What prevents
+their fall is the fact that they find themselves in the midst of the
+air, which is heavier than they are. Take away the air and they would
+fall."
+
+"Take away the air?" cried Miette, with an air of doubt, thinking that
+she was facing an impossibility.
+
+"Yes, take away the air," continued Monsieur Roger; "for that can be
+done. There even exists for this purpose a machine, which is called an
+air-pump. You place under a glass globe a lighted candle. Then you make
+a vacuum,--that is to say, by the aid of the air-pump you exhaust the
+air in the globe; soon the candle is extinguished for want of air, but
+the wick of the candle continues for some instants to produce smoke.
+Now, you think, I suppose, that that smoke rises in the globe?"
+
+"Certainly," said Miette.
+
+"No, no, not at all; it falls."
+
+"Ah! I should like to see that!" cried Miette.
+
+"And, in order to give you the pleasure of seeing this, I suppose you
+would like an air-pump?"
+
+"Well, papa will buy me one.--Say, papa, won't you do it, so we may see
+the smoke fall?"
+
+"No, indeed!" said Monsieur Dalize; "how can we introduce here
+instruments of physical science during vacation? What would Paul say?"
+
+"Paul would say nothing. I am sure that he is just as anxious as I am to
+see smoke fall.--Are you not, Paul?"
+
+And Paul Solange, already half-conquered, made a sign from the corner of
+his eye to his little friend that her demand was not at all entirely
+disagreeable to him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger, hiding his satisfaction, seemed to attach no importance
+to this request of Miette under the assent given by Paul. Wishing to
+profit by the awakened curiosity of his little friend, he hastened to
+continue, and said,--
+
+"Who wants to bring me a bit of cork and a glass of water?"
+
+"I! I!" cried Miette, running.
+
+When Miette had returned with the articles, Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"I told you a moment ago that if balloons and smoke and clouds do not
+fall, it is because they find themselves in the midst of air which is
+heavier than they are. I am going to try an experiment which will make
+you understand what I have said."
+
+Monsieur Roger took the cork, raised his hand above his head, and opened
+his fingers: the cork fell.
+
+"Is it a heavy body?" said he. "Did it fall to the ground?"
+
+"Yes," cried Paul and Miette together.
+
+Then Monsieur Roger placed the glass of water in front of him, took the
+cork, which Miette had picked up, and forced it with his finger to the
+bottom of the glass; then he withdrew his finger, and the cork mounted
+up to the surface again.
+
+"Did you see?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Yes," said Miss Miette.
+
+"You remarked something?"
+
+"Certainly: the cork would not fall, and you were obliged to force it
+into the water with your finger."
+
+"And not only," continued Monsieur Roger, "it would not fall, as you
+say, but it even hastened to rise again as soon as it was freed from the
+pressure of my finger. We were wrong, then, when we said that this same
+cork is a heavy body?"
+
+"Ah, I don't know," said Miette, a little confused.
+
+"Still, we must know. Did this cork fall just now upon the ground?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then it was a heavy body?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And now that it remains on the surface of the water, that it no longer
+precipitates itself towards the earth, it is no longer a heavy body?"
+
+This time Miette knew not what to answer.
+
+"Well, be very sure," continued Monsieur Roger, "that it is heavy. If it
+does not fall to the bottom of the water, it is because the water is
+heavier than it. The water is an obstacle to it. Nevertheless, it is
+attracted, like all bodies, towards the earth, or, more precisely,
+towards the centre of the earth."
+
+"Towards the centre of the earth?" repeated Miette.
+
+"Yes, towards the centre of the earth. Can Miss Miette procure for me
+two pieces of string and two heavy bodies,--for example, small pieces of
+lead?"
+
+"String, yes; but where can I get lead?" asked Miette.
+
+"Look in the box where I keep my fishing-tackle," said Monsieur Dalize
+to his daughter, "and find two sinkers there."
+
+Miette disappeared, and came back in a moment with the articles desired.
+Monsieur Roger tied the little pieces of lead to the two separate
+strings. Then he told Miette to hold the end of one of these strings in
+her fingers. He himself did the same with the other string. The two
+strings from which the sinkers were suspended swayed to and fro for some
+seconds, and then stopped in a fixed position.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Is it not evident," said Monsieur Roger, "that the direction of our
+strings is the same as the direction in which the force which we call
+weight attracts the bodies of lead? In fact, if you cut the string, the
+lead would go in that direction. The string which Miss Miette is
+holding and that which I hold myself seem to us to be parallel,--that is
+to say, that it seems impossible they should ever meet, however long the
+distance which they travel. Well, that is an error. For these two
+strings, if left to themselves, would meet exactly at the centre of the
+earth."
+
+"Then," said Miette, "if we detach the sinkers, they would fall, and
+would join each other exactly at the centre of the earth?"
+
+"Yes, if they encountered no obstacle; but they would be stopped by the
+resistance of the ground. They would attempt to force themselves
+through, and would not succeed."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Why, if the ground which supports us did not resist, we would not be at
+this moment chatting quietly here on the surface of the earth; drawn by
+gravity, we would all be----"
+
+"At the centre of the earth!" cried Miette.
+
+"Exactly. And it might very well happen that I would not then be in a
+mood to explain to you the attraction of gravity."
+
+"Yes, that is very probable," said Miss Miette, philosophically. Then
+she added, "If, instead of letting these bits of lead fall upon the
+ground, we let them fall in water?"
+
+"Well, they would approach the centre of the earth for the entire depth
+of the water."
+
+Miette had mechanically placed the sinker above the glass of water. She
+let it fall into it; the cork still swam above.
+
+"Why does the lead fall to the bottom of the water, and why does the
+cork not fall?"
+
+"Why," said Albert, "because lead is heavier than cork."
+
+Miette looked at her brother, and then turned her eyes towards Monsieur
+Roger, as if the explanation given by Albert explained nothing, and
+finally she said,--
+
+"Of course lead is heavier than cork; but why is it heavier?"
+
+"My child, you want to know a great deal," said Madame Dalize.
+
+"Ah, mamma, it is not my fault,--it is Paul's, who wants to know, and
+does not like to ask. I am obliged to ask questions in his stead."
+
+That was true. Paul asked no questions, but he listened with attention,
+and his eyes seemed to approve the questions asked by his friend Miette.
+Monsieur Roger had observed with pleasure the conduct of his young
+friend, and it was for him, while he was looking at Miette, the latter
+continued:
+
+"Tell us, Monsieur Roger, why is lead heavier than cork?"
+
+"Because its density is greater," answered Monsieur Roger, seriously.
+
+"Ah!" murmured Miette, disappointed; and, as Monsieur Roger kept silent,
+she added, "What is density?"
+
+"It would take a long time to explain."
+
+"Tell me all the same."
+
+Monsieur Roger saw at this moment that Paul was beckoning to Miette to
+insist.
+
+"Goodness!" said he, smiling at Paul; "Miss Miette was right just now.
+It is you that wish me to continue the questions!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+WHY LEAD IS HEAVIER THAN CORK.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger continued in these words:
+
+"We say that a body has density when it is thick and packed close. We
+give the name of density to the quantity of matter contained in a body
+of a certain size.
+
+"Let us suppose that this bit of lead has the same bulk--that is to say,
+that it is exactly as big--as the cork. Suppose, also, that we have a
+piece of gold and a piece of stone, also of the same bulk as the cork,
+and that we weigh each different piece in a pair of scales. We would
+find that cork weighs less than stone, that stone weighs less than lead,
+and that lead weighs less than gold. But, in order to compare these
+differences with each other, it has been necessary to adopt a standard
+of weight.
+
+"I now return to Miss Miette's question,--'Why is lead heavier than
+cork?'--a question to which I had solemnly answered, 'Because its
+density is greater.' Miss Miette must now understand that cork, weighing
+four times less than water, cannot sink in water, although that process
+is very easy to lead, which weighs eleven times more than water. And
+yet," said Monsieur Roger, "the problem is not perfectly solved, and I
+am quite sure that Miss Miette is not entirely satisfied."
+
+Miss Miette remained silent.
+
+"I was not mistaken. Miss Miette is not satisfied," said Monsieur Roger;
+"and she is right,--for I have not really explained to her why lead is
+heavier than cork."
+
+Miss Miette made a gesture, which seemed to say, "That is what I was
+expecting."
+
+"I said just now," continued Monsieur Roger, "that the density of a body
+was the quantity of matter contained in this body in a certain bulk. Now
+does Miss Miette know what matter is?"
+
+"No."
+
+"No! Now, there is the important thing: because, in explaining to her
+what matter is, I will make her understand why lead is heavier than
+cork."
+
+"Well, I am listening," said Miette.
+
+And Master Paul respectfully added, in an undertone, "We are listening."
+
+Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"The name of 'bodies' has been given to all objects which, in infinite
+variety, surround us and reveal themselves to us by the touch, taste,
+sight, and smell. All these bodies present distinct properties; but
+there are certain numbers of properties which are common to all. Those
+all occupy a certain space; all are expanded by heat, are contracted by
+cold, and can even pass from the solid to the liquid state, and from the
+liquid to the gaseous state. They all possess a certain amount of
+elasticity, a certain amount of compressibility,--in a word, there exist
+in all bodies common characteristics: so they have given a common name
+to those possessing these common properties, and called that which
+constitutes bodies 'matter.' Bodies are not compact, as you may imagine.
+They are, on the contrary, formed by the union of infinitely small
+particles, all equal to each other and maintained at distances that are
+relatively considerable by the force of attraction.
+
+"These infinitely small particles have received the names of atoms or
+molecules. Imagine a pile of bullets, and remark the empty spaces left
+between them, and you will have a picture of the formation of bodies. I
+must acknowledge to you that no one has yet seen the molecules of a
+body. Their size is so small that no microscope can ever be made keen
+enough to see them. A wise man has reached this conclusion: That if you
+were to look at a drop of water through a magnifying instrument which
+made it appear as large as the whole earth, the molecules which compose
+this drop of water would seem hardly bigger than bits of bird-shot.
+Still, this conception of the formation of bodies is proved by certain
+properties which matter enjoys. Among these properties I must especially
+single out divisibility. Matter can be divided into parts so small that
+it is difficult to conceive of them. Gold-beaters, for instance, succeed
+in making gold-leaf so thin that it is necessary to place sixty thousand
+one on top of the other to arrive at the thickness of an inch. I will
+give you two other examples of 'divisibility' that are still more
+striking. For years, hardly losing any of its weight, a grain of musk
+spreads a strong odor. In a tubful of water one single drop of indigo
+communicates its color. The smallness of these particles of musk which
+strike the sense of smell and of these particles of indigo which color
+several quarts of water is beyond our imagination to conceive of. And
+these examples prove that bodies are nothing but a conglomeration of
+molecules. Now, if lead is heavier than cork, it is because in an equal
+volume it contains a far more considerable quantity of molecules, and
+because these molecules are themselves heavier than the molecules of
+cork. And now I shall stop," said Monsieur Roger, "after this long but
+necessary explanation. I will continue on the day when Miss Miette will
+present to me the famous air-pump."
+
+"That will not be very long from now," said Miss Miette to herself.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE AIR-PUMP.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger had deferred his explanations for three days. He was
+awaiting the air-pump which Monsieur Dalize, at Miette's desire, had
+decided to purchase in Paris. Monsieur Roger judged that this
+interruption and this rest were necessary. In this way his hearers would
+not be tired too soon, and their curiosity, remaining unsatisfied for
+the moment, would become more eager. He was not mistaken; and when a
+large box containing the air-pump and other objects ordered by Monsieur
+Roger arrived, a series of cries of astonishment came from the pretty
+mouth of Miss Miette. Paul Solange, however, remained calm; but
+Monsieur Roger knew that his interest had been really awakened. They
+spent the afternoon in unpacking the air-pump, and Monsieur Roger was
+called upon at once to explain the instrument.
+
+"The machine," he said, "is called an air-pump because it is intended to
+exhaust air contained in a vase or other receptacle. To exhaust the air
+in a vase is to make a vacuum in that vase. You will see that this
+machine is composed of two cylinders, or pump-barrels, out of which
+there comes a tube, which opens in the centre of this disk of glass.
+Upon this disk we carefully place this globe of glass; and now we are
+going to exhaust the air contained in the globe."
+
+"We are going to make a vacuum," said Miette.
+
+"Exactly." And Monsieur Roger commenced to work the lever. "You will
+take notice," he said, "that when the lever is lowered at the left the
+round piece of leather placed in the cylinder on the left side is
+lowered, and that the bit of leather in the right-hand cylinder is
+raised. In the same way, when the lever is lowered at the right, it is
+the right-hand piece of leather which is lowered, while the piece of
+leather at the left is raised in its turn. These round bits of leather,
+whose importance is considerable, are called pistons. Each piston is
+hollow and opens into the air on top, while at the bottom, which
+communicates with that portion of the cylinder situated below the
+piston, there is a little hole, which is stopped by a valve. This valve
+is composed of a little round bit of metal, bearing on top a vertical
+stem, around which is rolled a spring somewhat in the shape of a coil or
+ringlet. The ends of this spring rest on one side on a little bit of
+metal, on the other on a fixed rest, pierced by a hole in which the stem
+of the valve can freely go up and down. When I work the lever, as I am
+doing now, you see that on the left side the piston lowers itself in the
+cylinder, and that the piston on the right is raised. Now, what is going
+on in the interior of each cylinder? The piston of the left, in
+lowering, disturbs the air contained in the cylinder,--it forces it
+down, it compresses it. Under this compression the coiled spring gives
+way, the round bit of metal is raised, and opens the little hole which
+puts the under part of the piston in communication with the atmosphere.
+The air contained in the cylinder passes in this way across the piston
+and disperses itself in the air which surrounds us. But the spring makes
+the bit of metal fall back again and closes the communication in the
+right-hand cylinder as soon as the piston commences to rise and the
+pressure of the air in the cylinder is not greater than the pressure of
+the atmosphere outside. Lastly, the tube which unites the cylinders to
+the glass globe opens at the end of each cylinder, but a little on the
+side. It is closed by a little cork, carried by a metal stem which
+traverses the whole piston. When I cause one of the pistons to lower,
+the piston brings the stem down with it. The cork at once comes in
+contact with the hole, which closes; the stem is then stopped, but the
+piston continues to descend by sliding over it. In the other
+cylinder, in which the piston is raised, it commences by raising the
+stem, which re-establishes communication with the glass globe; but as
+soon as the top of the stem comes in contact with the upper part of the
+cylinder, it stops and the piston glides over it and continues to rise."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"In this fashion the movements of the cork are very small, and it opens
+and shuts the orifice as soon as one of the pistons begins to descend
+and the other begins to ascend. Consequently, by working the lever for a
+certain space of time, I will finish by exhausting the globe of all the
+air which it contains."
+
+"May I try to exhaust it?" asked Miette, timidly.
+
+"Try your hand, Miss Miette," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+Miette began to work the lever of the air-pump, which she did at first
+very easily, but soon she stopped.
+
+"I cannot do it any more," said she.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it is too heavy."
+
+"In fact, it is too heavy," said Monsieur Roger; "but tell me, what is
+it that is too heavy?"
+
+Miette sought an answer.
+
+"Oh, I do not know. It is the lever or the pistons which have become all
+of a sudden too heavy."
+
+"Not at all; that is not it. Neither the lever nor the pistons can
+change their weight."
+
+"Then, what is it that is so heavy?"
+
+"Come, now! Try once more, with all your strength."
+
+Miette endeavored to lower the right-hand side of the lever: she could
+not succeed.
+
+"Why," said she, "it is, of course, the piston on the left which has
+become too heavy, as I cannot make it rise again."
+
+"You are right, Miss Miette. It is the piston in the left cylinder which
+cannot rise; but it has not changed its weight, as I said,--only it has
+now to support a very considerable weight; and it is that weight which
+you cannot combat."
+
+"What weight is it?" said Miette, who did not understand.
+
+"The weight of the air."
+
+"The weight of the air? But what air?"
+
+"The air which is above it,--the exterior air; the air which weighs down
+this piston, as it weighs us down."
+
+"Does air weigh much?"
+
+"If you are very anxious to know, I will tell you that a wine gallon of
+air weighs about seventy-two grains; and as in the atmosphere--that is
+to say, in the mass of air which surrounds us--there is a very great
+number of gallons, you can imagine that it must represent a respectable
+number of pounds. It has been calculated, in fact, that each square inch
+of the surface of the soil supports a weight of air of a little more
+than sixteen pounds."
+
+"But how is that?" cried Miette. "A while ago there was also a
+considerable quantity of air above the piston, and yet I could make it
+go up very easily."
+
+"Certainly, there was above the piston the same quantity of air as now,
+but there was air also in the globe. Air, like gas, possesses an elastic
+force,--that is to say, that it constantly endeavors to distend its
+molecules, and presses without ceasing upon the sides of the vase which
+contained it, or upon the surrounding air. Now, when you began to work
+the lever there was still enough air in the globe to balance, through
+its elastic force, the air outside; and, as the piston receives an
+almost equal pressure of air from the atmosphere above and from the
+globe below, it is easily raised and lowered. But while you were working
+the lever you took air out of the globe, so that at last there arrived a
+time when so little air remained in this globe that its elastic force
+acted with little power upon the piston. So the piston was submitted to
+only one pressure,--that of the atmosphere; and, as I have just told
+you, the atmosphere weighs heavy enough to withstand your little
+strength. Still, all the air in the globe is not yet exhausted, and a
+stronger person, like Master Paul, for example, could still be able to
+conquer the resistance of the atmosphere and raise the piston."
+
+Paul Solange could not refuse this direct invitation, and he approached
+the air-pump and succeeded in working the lever, though with a certain
+difficulty.
+
+Meanwhile, Monsieur Roger was seeking among the physical instruments
+which had just arrived. He soon found a glass cylinder, whose upper
+opening was closed by a bit of bladder stretched taut and carefully tied
+upon the edges.
+
+"Stop, Master Paul," said he: "we are going to exchange the globe for
+this cylinder, and you will see very readily that the air is heavy. Now
+take away the globe."
+
+But, though Paul tried his best, he could not succeed in obeying this
+order. The globe remained firm in its place.
+
+"That is still another proof of the weight of the air," said Monsieur
+Roger. "The globe is empty of air; and as there is no longer any
+pressure upon it except from outside,--the pressure of the
+atmosphere,--Master Paul is unable to raise it."
+
+"He would be able to raise the glass," said Miss Miette, in a
+questioning tone, "but he cannot lift the air above it?"
+
+"You are exactly right. But you are going to see an experiment which
+will prove it. First, however, it will be necessary to take away the
+globe. I am going to ask Miss Miette to turn this button, which is
+called the key of the air-pump."
+
+Miette turned the key, and then they heard a whistling sound.
+
+"It is the air which is entering the globe," said Monsieur Roger. "Now
+Master Paul can take the globe away."
+
+That was true. When Paul took away the globe, Monsieur Roger put in its
+place the cylinder closed by the bit of bladder. Then he worked the
+handle of the machine again. As the air was withdrawn from the interior
+of the cylinder, the membrane was heard to crackle. Suddenly it burst,
+with a sort of explosion, to the great surprise of Miette and the
+amusement of everybody.
+
+"What is the matter?" said Miette, eagerly.
+
+"The matter is," answered Monsieur Roger, "that the exterior air weighed
+so heavily upon the membrane that it split it; and that is what I want
+to show you. The moment arrived when the pressure of the atmosphere was
+no longer counterbalanced by the elastic force of the air contained in
+the cylinder. Then that exhausted all the air, and the atmosphere came
+down with all its weight upon the membrane, which, after resisting for a
+little while, was torn."
+
+"Is it true, Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "that it is with this machine
+that you can make smoke fall?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Well, then, won't you show that to us?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+DROPS OF RAIN AND HAMMER OF WATER.
+
+
+"I am very willing to show you that," answered Monsieur Roger; "but I
+must have a candle."
+
+Miette ran to the kitchen and succeeded in obtaining that article which
+was once so common, and which is now so rare, known as a candle.
+Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it under the glass globe of the
+air-pump. Then he asked Paul to make a vacuum. At the end of a few
+minutes the candle went out. Monsieur Roger then told Paul to stop.
+
+"Why has the candle gone out?" asked Miette.
+
+"Because it needs air. Master Paul has just exhausted the air necessary
+to the combustion of the candle; but the wick still smokes, and we are
+going to see if the smoke which it produces will rise or fall."
+
+Everybody approached the globe, full of curiosity.
+
+"It falls," cried Miette, "the smoke falls."
+
+And in fact, instead of rising in the globe, the smoke lowered slowly
+and heavily, and fell upon the glass disk of the air-pump.
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "you see that I was right. In a vacuum
+smoke falls: it falls because it no longer finds itself in the midst of
+air which is heavier than it and forms an obstacle to its fall. In the
+same way the cloud in the sky above the château would fall if we could
+exhaust the air which is between it and us."
+
+"I am very glad that we cannot," cried Miette.
+
+"And why are you very glad?" asked Madame Dalize.
+
+"Because, mamma, I don't wish any rain to fall."
+
+"Does Miss Miette think, then," said Monsieur Roger, "that if the cloud
+fell rain would fall?"
+
+"Certainly," answered Miss Miette, with a certain amount of logic. "When
+the clouds fall they fall in the form of rain."
+
+"Yes; but supposing that I should exhaust the air which is between the
+cloud and us, the cloud would not fall in a rain, but in a single and
+large mass of water."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Clouds, you doubtless know, are masses of vapor from water. Now, when
+these vapors are sufficiently condensed to acquire a certain weight,
+they can no longer float in the atmosphere, and they fall in the form of
+rain. But they fall in rain because they have to traverse the air in
+order to fall to the ground. Now, the air offers such a resistance to
+this water that it is obliged to separate, to divide itself into small
+drops. If there were no air between the water and the ground, the water
+would not fall in drops of rain, but in a mass, like a solid body; and I
+am going to prove that to you, so as to convince Miss Miette."
+
+Among the various instruments unpacked from the box, Monsieur Roger
+chose a round tube of glass, closed at one end, tapering, and open at
+the other end. He introduced into this tube a certain quantity of water
+so as to half fill it. Then he placed the tube above a little alcohol
+lamp, and made the water boil.
+
+"Remark," said he, "how fully and completely the vapors from the water,
+which are formed by the influence of heat, force out the air which this
+tube encloses in escaping by the open end of the tube."
+
+When Monsieur Roger judged that there no longer remained any air in the
+tube, he begged Monsieur Dalize to hand him the blowpipe. Monsieur
+Dalize then handed to his friend a little instrument of brass, which was
+composed of three parts,--a conical tube, furnished with a mouth, a
+hollow cylinder succeeding to the first tube, and a second tube, equally
+conical, but narrower, and placed at right angles with the hollow
+cylinder. This second tube ended in a very little opening.
+
+Monsieur Roger placed his lips to the opening of the first tube, and
+blew, placing the little opening of the second tube in front of the
+flame of a candle, which Monsieur Dalize had just lit. A long and
+pointed tongue of fire extended itself from the flame of the candle.
+Monsieur Roger placed close to this tongue of fire the tapering and open
+end of the tube in which the water had finished boiling. The air, forced
+out of the blowpipe and thrust upon the flame of the candle, bore to
+this flame a considerable quantity of oxygen, which increased the
+combustion and produced a temperature high enough to soften and melt the
+open extremity of the tube, and so seal it hermetically.
+
+"I have," said Monsieur Roger, "by the means which you have seen,
+expelled the air which was contained in this tube, and there remains in
+it only water. In a few moments we will make use of it. But it is good
+to have a comparison under your eyes. I therefore ask Miss Miette to
+take another tube similar to that which I hold."
+
+"Here it is," cried Miette.
+
+"Now I ask her to put water into it."
+
+"I have done so."
+
+"Lastly, I ask her to turn it over quickly, with her little hand placed
+against its lower side in order to prevent the water from falling upon
+the floor."
+
+Miss Miette did as she was commanded. The water fell in the tube,
+dividing itself into drops of more or less size. It was like rain in
+miniature.
+
+"The water, as you have just seen," said Monsieur Roger, "has fallen in
+Miss Miette's tube, dividing itself against the resistance of the air.
+In the tube which I hold, and in which there is no longer any air, you
+will see how water falls."
+
+Monsieur Roger turned the tube over, but the water this time encountered
+no resistance from the air. It fell in one mass, and struck the bottom
+of the tube with a dry and metallic sound.
+
+"It made a noise almost like the noise of a hammer," said Paul Solange.
+
+"Exactly," answered Monsieur Roger. "Scientists have given this
+apparatus the name of the water-hammer." And looking at Miette, who in
+her astonishment was examining the tube without saying anything,
+Monsieur Roger added, smiling, "And this hammer has struck Miss Miette
+with surprise."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+AMUSING PHYSICS.
+
+
+Hearing Monsieur Roger's jest, Miette raised her head, and said,--
+
+"Yes, it is very curious to see water fall like that, in a single mass;
+and, besides, it fell quicker than the water in my tube."
+
+"Of course: because it did not encounter the resistance of the air. This
+resistance is very easy to prove; and if Miss Miette will give me a
+sheet of any kind of paper----"
+
+Miss Miette looked at Monsieur Roger, seeming to be slightly
+nettled,--not by the errand, but by something else.
+
+Then she went in search of a sheet of letter-paper, which she brought
+back to Monsieur Roger. He raised his hand and dropped the paper.
+Instead of falling directly towards the earth, as a piece of lead or
+stone would do, it floated downward from the right to the left, gently
+balanced, and impeded in its fall by the evident resistance of the air.
+When this bit of paper had at last reached the ground, Monsieur Roger
+picked it up, saying,--
+
+"I am going to squeeze this bit of paper in such a way as to make it a
+paper ball; and I am going to let this paper ball fall from the same
+height as I did the leaf."
+
+The paper ball fell directly in a straight line upon the floor.
+
+"And yet it was the same sheet," said he, "which has fallen so fast. The
+matter submitted to the action of gravity remains the same; there can be
+no doubt on that point. Therefore, if the sheet of paper falls more
+quickly when it is rolled up into a ball, it is certainly because it
+meets with less resistance from the air; and if it meets with less
+resistance, it is because under this form of a ball it presents only a
+small surface, which allows it easily to displace the air in order to
+pass."
+
+"That is so," said Miss Miette, with a certainty which made every one
+smile.
+
+Miette, astonished at the effect which she had thus produced, looked at
+her friend Paul, who remained silent, but very attentive.
+
+"Well, Paul," said she, "is not that certain?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul.
+
+"Hold," returned Monsieur Roger. "I am going to show you an example
+still more convincing of the resistance of the air,--only I must have a
+pair of scissors; and if Miss Miette will have the kindness to----"
+
+Miss Miette looked again at Monsieur Roger with a singular air. None the
+less, she ran off in search of the scissors. Then Monsieur Roger pulled
+from his pocket a coin, and with the aid of the scissors cut a round bit
+of paper, a little smaller than the coin. That done, he placed the
+circular bit of paper flat upon the coin, in such a manner that it did
+not overlap, and asked Miss Miette to take the coin between her thumb
+and her finger.
+
+"Now," said he, "let it all fall."
+
+Miette opened her fingers, and the coin upon which he had placed the bit
+of paper fell. Coin and paper reached the ground at the same time.
+
+"Why," asked Monsieur Roger, "does the paper reach the ground as soon as
+the coin?"
+
+And as Miette hesitated to answer, Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"Because the fall of the bit of paper was not interfered with by the
+resistance of the air."
+
+"Of course," cried Miette, "it is the coin which opened the way. The
+paper was preserved by the coin from the resistance of the air."
+
+"Exactly so," said Monsieur Roger; "and these simple experiments have
+led scientists to ask if in doing away entirely with the resistance of
+the air it would not be possible to abolish the differences which may be
+observed between the falling of various bodies,--for instance, the paper
+and the coin, a hair and a bit of lead. And they have decided that in a
+vacuum--that is to say, when the resistance of the air is abolished--the
+paper and the coin, the hair and the lead would fall with exactly the
+same swiftness; all of them would traverse the same space in the same
+time."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"The hair falls as fast as lead," said Miette, in a tone which seemed to
+imply, "I would like to see that."
+
+Monsieur Roger understood the thought of Miette, and answered by
+saying,--
+
+"Well, I am going to show you that."
+
+He chose a long tube of glass, closed by bits of metal, one of which had
+a stop-cock. He put in this tube the coin, the round bit of paper, a bit
+of lead, and a strand of hair from Miss Miette's head. Then he fastened
+the tube by one of its ends upon the disk of the air-pump and worked the
+pistons. As soon as he thought that the vacuum had been made, he closed
+the stop-cock of the tube, to prevent the exterior air from entering. He
+withdrew the tube from the machine, held it vertically, then turned it
+briskly upsidedown. Everybody saw that the paper, the coin, the hair,
+and the lead all arrived at the same time at the bottom of the tube. The
+experiment was conclusive. Then Monsieur Roger opened the stop-cock and
+allowed the air to enter into the tube. Again he turned the tube
+upsidedown: the coin and the bit of lead arrived almost together at the
+bottom of the tube, but the paper, and especially the strand of hair,
+found much difficulty on the way and arrived at the bottom much later.
+
+"Why, how amusing that is!" cried Miette; "as amusing as anything I
+know. I don't understand why Paul wishes to have nothing to do with
+physical science."
+
+But Miette was mistaken this time, for Paul was now very anxious to
+learn more.
+
+"Very well," said Monsieur Roger, "as all this has not wearied you, I
+am, in order to end to-day, going to make another experiment which will
+not be a bit tiresome, and which, without any scientific apparatus,
+without any air-pump, will demonstrate to you for the last time the
+existence of the pressure, of the weight of the atmosphere."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped and looked at Miette, whose good temper he was
+again going to put to the test. Then he said,--
+
+"I need a carafe and a hard egg; and if Miss Miette will only be kind
+enough to----"
+
+This time Miette seemed still more uneasy than ever, more embarrassed,
+more uncomfortable; still, she fled rapidly towards the kitchen. During
+her absence, Monsieur Roger said to Madame Dalize,--
+
+"Miette seems to think that I trouble her a little too often."
+
+"That is not what is annoying her, I am certain," replied Madame Dalize;
+"but I do not understand the true cause. Let us wait."
+
+At this moment Miette returned, with the carafe in one hand, the
+hard-boiled egg (it was not boiled very hard, however) in the other.
+Monsieur Roger took the shell off the egg and placed the egg thus
+deprived of its shell upon the empty carafe, somewhat after the manner
+of a stopper or cork.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"What I want to do," said he, "is to make this egg enter the carafe."
+
+"Very well," said Miette; "all you have to do is to push from above: you
+will force the egg down."
+
+"Oh, but nobody must touch it. It must not be a hand that forces it
+down, but by weight from above. No, the atmosphere must do this."
+
+Monsieur Roger took off the egg, and lit a bit of paper, which he threw
+into the empty carafe.
+
+"In order to burn," said he, "this paper is obliged to absorb the oxygen
+of the air in the carafe,--that is to say, it makes a partial vacuum."
+When the paper had burned for some moments, Monsieur Roger replaced the
+egg upon the carafe's neck, very much in the manner you would place a
+close-fitting ground-glass stopper in the neck of a bottle, and
+immediately they saw the egg lengthen, penetrate into the neck of the
+carafe, and at last fall to the bottom. "There," said he, "is
+atmospheric pressure clearly demonstrated. When a partial vacuum had
+been made in the carafe,--that is to say, when there was not enough air
+in it to counterbalance or resist the pressure of the exterior
+air,--this exterior air pressed with all its weight upon the egg and
+forced it down in very much the same way as Miss Miette wished me to do
+just now with my hand."
+
+In saying these last words, Monsieur Roger looked towards Miette.
+
+"By the way," he said, "I must apologize to you, Miss Miette, for having
+sent you on so many errands. I thought I saw that it annoyed you a
+little bit."
+
+Miss Miette raised her eyes with much surprise to Monsieur Roger.
+
+"But that was not it at all," said she.
+
+"Well, what was it?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+And Miette replied timidly, yet sweetly,--
+
+"Why, I only thought that you might stop calling me Miss. If you please,
+I would like to be one of your very good friends."
+
+"Oh, yes; with very great pleasure, my dear little Miette," cried
+Monsieur Roger, much moved by this touching and kindly delicacy of
+feeling, and opening his arms to the pretty and obliging little child of
+his friends.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+WHY THE MOON DOES NOT FALL.
+
+
+Next evening Monsieur Roger, as well as his friend Monsieur Dalize,
+seemed to have forgotten completely that there was such a thing as
+physical science. He sat in a corner and chatted about this thing and
+that with Monsieur and Madame Dalize. Still, the air-pump was there, and
+the children touched it, looked at it, and examined the different
+portions of it.
+
+At last there was a conversation in a low tone between Paul and Miette,
+and in the midst of the whispering were heard these words, clearly
+pronounced by the lips of Miette,--
+
+"Ask him yourself."
+
+Then Monsieur Roger heard Paul answer,--
+
+"No, I don't dare to."
+
+Miette then came forward towards her friend Roger, and said to him,
+without any hesitation,--
+
+"Paul asks that you will explain to him about the tower?"
+
+Monsieur Roger remained a moment without understanding, then a light
+struck him, and he said,--
+
+"Ah! Master Paul wants me to explain to him how I learned the height of
+the tower Heurtebize?"
+
+"That is it," said Miette.
+
+Paul Solange made an affirmative sign by a respectful movement of the
+head.
+
+"But," said Monsieur Roger, responding to this sign, "it is physical
+science, my dear Master Paul,--physical science, you know; and,
+goodness, I was so much afraid of boring you that both I and Monsieur
+Dalize had resolved never to approach this subject."
+
+"Still, sir," said Paul, "all that you have said and shown to us was on
+account of the tower of Heurtebize, and you promised me----"
+
+"That is true," said Monsieur Dalize; "and if you promised, you must
+keep your word. So explain to Paul how you have been able, without
+moving, to learn the exact height of that famous tower."
+
+"Come, then, I obey," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+And, addressing himself to Paul, he said,--
+
+"You will remember that at the beginning of this conversation on gravity
+I took a little stone and let it fall from my full height. It produced a
+very feeble shock; but I made you remark that if it were to fall from a
+greater height the shock would be violent enough to break it."
+
+"Yes," said Paul, "I remember."
+
+"Then, of course, you understand that the violence of the shock of a
+body against a fixed obstacle depends upon the rate of speed this body
+possessed at the moment when it encountered the obstacle. The higher the
+distance from which the body falls, the more violent is the shock,--for
+its swiftness is greater. Now, the speed of a falling body becomes
+greater and greater the longer it continues to fall; and, consequently,
+in falling faster and faster it will traverse a greater and greater
+space in a given interval of time. In studying the fall of a body we
+find that in one second it traverses a space of sixteen feet and one
+inch. In falling for two seconds it traverses----"
+
+"Twice the number of feet," said Miette, with a self-satisfied air.
+
+"Why, no," said Paul; "because it falls faster during the second second,
+and in consequence travels a greater distance."
+
+"Master Paul is right," replied Monsieur Roger. "It has been found that
+in falling for two seconds a body falls sixteen feet and one inch
+multiplied by twice two,--that is to say, sixty-four feet and four
+inches. In falling three seconds a body traverses sixteen feet and one
+inch multiplied by three times three,--that is to say, by nine. In
+falling four seconds it traverses sixteen feet and one inch multiplied
+by four times four,--that is to say, by sixteen; and so on. This law of
+falling bodies which learned men have discovered teaches us that in
+order to calculate the space traversed by a body in a certain number of
+seconds it is necessary to multiply sixteen feet and one inch by the
+arithmetical square of that number of seconds. And Master Paul must
+know, besides, that the square of a number is the product obtained by
+multiplying this number by itself."
+
+Paul bent his head.
+
+"And now you must also know," continued Monsieur Roger, "how I could
+calculate the height of the tower of Heurtebize. The stone which you let
+fall, according to my watch, took two seconds before it reached the
+soil. The calculation which I had to make was easy, was it not?"
+
+"Yes, sir: it was necessary to multiply sixteen feet and one inch by two
+times two,--which gives about sixty-four feet and four inches as the
+height of the tower."
+
+"You are right, and, as you may judge, it was not a very difficult
+problem."
+
+"Yes," added Monsieur Dalize; "but it was interesting to know why the
+apple fell, and you have taught us."
+
+"That is true," cried Miette; "only you have forgotten to tell us why
+the moon does not fall."
+
+"I have not forgotten," said Monsieur Roger; "but I wished to avoid
+speaking of the attraction of the universe. However, as Miette obliges
+me, I shall speak. You see that all earthly bodies are subject to a
+force which has been called gravity, or weight. Now, gravity can also be
+called attraction. By the word attraction is meant, in fact, the force
+which makes all bodies come mutually together and adhere together,
+unless they are separated by some other force. This gravity or
+attraction which the terrestrial mass exerts upon the objects placed on
+its surface is felt above the soil to a height that cannot be measured.
+Learned men have, therefore, been led to suppose that this gravity or
+attraction extended beyond the limits which we can reach; that it acted
+upon the stars themselves, only decreasing as they are farther off. This
+supposition allows it to be believed that all the stars are of similar
+phenomena, that there is a gravity or attraction on their surface, and
+that this gravity or attraction acts upon all other celestial bodies.
+With this frame of thought in his mind, Newton at last came to believe
+that all bodies attract each other by the force of gravity, that their
+movements are determined by the force which they exert mutually upon one
+another, and that the system of the universe is regulated by a single
+force,--gravity, or attraction."
+
+"But that does not explain to us why the moon does not fall," said
+Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at his friend.
+
+"So you also," said he, smiling,--"you also are trying to puzzle me?"
+
+"Of course I am; but I am only repeating the question whose answer
+Miette is still awaiting."
+
+"Yes," said Miette, "I am waiting. Why does not the moon fall?"
+
+"Well, the moon does not fall because it is launched into space with so
+great a force that it traverses nearly four-fifths of a mile a second."
+
+Miette ran to open the door of the vestibule. The park was bathed in the
+mild light of a splendid moon.
+
+"Is it of that moon that you are speaking,--the moon which turns around
+us?"
+
+"Certainly, as we have no other moon."
+
+"And it turns as swiftly as you say?"
+
+"Why, yes. And do you know why it turns around us, a prisoner of that
+earth from which it seeks continually to fly in a straight line? It is
+because----"
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped suddenly, with an embarrassed air.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Miette.
+
+"Why, I am afraid I have put myself in a very difficult position."
+
+"Why?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I have just undertaken to tell you why the moon does not fall. Is not
+that true?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I am obliged to tell you that it does fall."
+
+"Ah, that is another matter!" cried Miette.
+
+"Yes, it is another matter, as you say; and it is necessary that I
+should speak to you of that other matter. Without that how can I make
+you believe that the moon does not fall and that it does fall?"
+
+"That would not be easy," said Miss Miette.
+
+"Well, then, imagine a ball shot by a cannon. This ball would go forever
+in a straight line and with the same swiftness if it were not subject to
+gravity, to the attraction of the earth. This attraction forces the ball
+to lower itself little by little below the straight line to approach the
+earth. At last the time comes when the force of attraction conquers the
+force which shot the ball, and the latter falls to the earth. This
+example of the ball may be applied to the moon, which would go forever
+in a straight line if it were not subject to the attraction of the
+earth. It shoots in a straight line, ready to flee away from us; but
+suddenly the attraction of the earth makes itself felt. Then the moon
+bends downward to approach us, and the straight line which it had been
+ready to traverse is changed to the arc of a circle. Again the moon
+endeavors to depart in a straight line, but the attraction is felt
+again, and brings near to us our unfaithful satellite. The same
+phenomenon goes on forever, and the straight path which the moon
+intended to follow becomes a circular one. It falls in every instance
+towards us, but it falls with exactly the same swiftness as that with
+which it seeks to get away from us. Consequently it remains always at
+the same distance. The attraction which prevents the moon from running
+away may be likened to a string tied to the claws of a cockchafer. The
+cockchafer flies, seeking to free itself; the string pulls it back
+towards the child's finger; and very often the circular flight which the
+insect takes around the finger which holds it represents exactly the
+circular flight of the moon around the earth."
+
+"But," said Miette, "is there no danger that the moon may fall some
+time?"
+
+"If the moon had been closer to the earth it would have fallen long ago;
+but it is more than two hundred and thirty-eight thousand miles away,
+and, as I have told you, if attraction or gravity acts upon the planets,
+it loses its power in proportion to the distance at which they are. The
+same attraction which forces the moon to turn around the earth obliges
+the earth and the planets to turn around the sun; and the sun itself is
+not immovable. It flies through space like all the other stars, bearing
+us in its train, subject also to universal attraction."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped a moment, then he said,--
+
+"And it is this great law of universal attraction, this law which
+governs the universe, that Newton discovered when he asked himself, 'Why
+does the apple fall?'"
+
+"Still, as for me," said Miette, "I should not have had that idea at
+all; I should have said quietly to myself, 'The apple fell because it
+was ripe.'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A MYSTERIOUS RESEMBLANCE.
+
+
+The days passed by at the château of Sainte-Gemme quietly and happily.
+Monsieur Roger, having fulfilled his promise to give the explanation of
+gravity and of attraction, was careful to make no allusions to
+scientific matters. He thought it useful and right to let his little
+hearers find their own pleasures wherever they could. One afternoon he
+saw Miette and Paul leave the house together. Paul had two camp-stools,
+while Miette held her friend's album.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"We are going to sketch," answered Paul: "at the end of the park."
+
+Miette put on the air of a martyr, and said to Monsieur Roger,--
+
+"I think he is going to sketch me."
+
+"Not at all; come along," replied Paul.
+
+And Miette ran gayly after Paul.
+
+An hour later, Monsieur Roger, in his walk, saw at the turning of a
+pathway lined by young chestnut-trees a scene which brought a smile to
+his lips. Two camp-stools were placed in front of each other, some
+distance apart; upon one of these camp-stools Paul was seated, his album
+and his pencil between his hands; on the other camp-stool was Miss
+Miette, posing for a portrait. Monsieur Roger approached.
+
+When Miette saw him, she sat up, and, crossing her little arms, cried,
+with pretended anger,--
+
+"I told you so: he is going to sketch me."
+
+"Oh, Miette," said Paul, softly, "you have spoiled the pose."
+
+Miette turned towards Paul, and, seeing that she had made him angry,
+returned to her former attitude without saying a word. Monsieur Roger
+looked at Miette, so pretty, so restless by disposition, now forcing
+herself to sit quietly, with an expression of determination upon her
+face that was half serious and half laughing. Then he cast his eyes upon
+Paul's album, but at that moment Paul was scratching over with his
+pencil the sketch which he had begun.
+
+"Never," said he, discouraged, "never shall I be able to catch her
+likeness."
+
+"That is not astonishing," replied Monsieur Roger. "I was struck at once
+with the change in her face. Miette in posing does not resemble herself
+any longer."
+
+"That is true, sir; but why is it?"
+
+"Why, because it is possible that it does not amuse her very much."
+
+Miette began to laugh. Monsieur Roger had guessed aright.
+
+"Oh, stay like that!" cried Paul, seeing Miette's face lighten up with
+gayety.
+
+"I will remain like this on one condition."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"That our friend Roger will remain also with us. I shall have some one
+to whom I can talk, and you, Paul, will make your sketch at your ease."
+
+"That is understood," said Monsieur Roger, seating himself upon a bank
+of stones beside the children. At first he lent a rather listless ear to
+Miette's words, for he was thinking of something else, and he only
+uttered a word or two in answer, which, however, allowed the little girl
+to think that she was being listened to. His eyes had travelled from the
+model to the artist. Since his arrival at Sainte-Gemme Paul's face had
+slightly changed: his hair, which had been cut short at school, had
+lengthened, and now fell over his forehead, shading the top of his face
+and giving him an expression that was slightly feminine; his large
+eyes, with long, black lashes, went from Miette to the sketch-book with
+a grave attention which the presence of a third party did not trouble at
+all. Roger's looks had rested upon Paul, full of that sympathy which the
+boy had inspired in him the first time he had seen him; but, instead of
+looking elsewhere at the end of a few minutes, his eyes were riveted
+upon Paul's face. He eagerly examined every feature of that face, which
+had suddenly been revealed to him under a new aspect. He had become very
+pale, and his hands trembled slightly. Miette perceived this sudden
+change, and, full of uneasiness, cried out,--
+
+"Why, what is the matter?"
+
+Recalled to himself by this exclamation, Monsieur Roger shook his head,
+passed his hand over his eyes, and answered, striving to smile,--
+
+"Why, there is nothing the matter with me, my dear, except a slight
+dizziness, caused by the sun no doubt. Don't be uneasy about me. I am
+going back home."
+
+And Monsieur Roger left them at a rapid pace, cutting across the pathway
+to get out of sight of the children. He walked like a crazy man; his
+eyes were wild, his brain full of a strange and impossible idea. When he
+had reached the other end of the park, sure of being alone, sure of not
+being seen, he stopped; but then he felt weak, and he allowed himself to
+fall upon the grass. For a long time he remained motionless, plunged in
+thought. At last he got up, murmuring,--
+
+"Why, that is impossible. I was a fool."
+
+He was himself again. He had thought over everything, he had weighed
+everything, and he persuaded himself that he had been the plaything of a
+singular hallucination. Still reasoning, still talking to himself, he
+took no notice of where he was going. Suddenly he perceived that he was
+returning to the spot which he had left. He stopped, and heard the voice
+of Miette in the distance; then he approached as softly as was possible,
+walking on tiptoe and avoiding the gravel and the falling leaves. One
+wish filled his heart,--to see Paul again without being seen. He walked
+through the woods towards the side whence the voice had made itself
+heard. The voice of Miette, now very close, said,--
+
+"Let's see, Paul. Is it finished?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul; "only two minutes more. And this time, thanks to
+Monsieur Roger, it will be something like you."
+
+Monsieur Roger, hidden behind branches and leaves, came nearer,
+redoubling his precautions. At last, through an opening in the foliage
+he perceived Paul Solange. He looked at him with profound attention
+until the lad, having started off with Miette, was some distance away.
+When the two children had disappeared, Monsieur Roger took the shaded
+path he had been following and went towards the château. He walked
+slowly, his head bent down, his mind a prey to mysterious thoughts. He
+had seen Paul again, and had studied his face, this time appealing to
+all his coolness, to all his reasoning power. And now a violent,
+unconquerable emotion bound him. In vain he tried in his sincerity to
+believe in a too happy and weak illusion, in a too ardent desire,
+realized only in his imagination. No, he was forced to admit that what
+he had just beheld had been seen with the eyes of a reasoning and
+thinking man whose brain was clear and whose mind was not disordered.
+However, this thought which had taken possession of him, this
+overwhelming idea of happiness, was it even admissible? And Monsieur
+Roger, striving to return to the reality, murmured,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is folly! it is folly!"
+
+Was it not in fact folly which had led him suddenly to recognize in the
+features of Paul Solange those of Madame Roger La Morlière? Was it not
+folly to have noticed a mysterious, surprising, and extraordinary
+resemblance between the face of Paul Solange and the sweet one of her
+who had been the mother of George? Yes, it was madness, it was
+impossible. Yet, in spite of all, Monsieur Roger said to himself, deep
+down in his heart,--
+
+"If it were my son?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE FIXED IDEA.
+
+
+For some days Monsieur Roger made no allusion to the secret which now
+filled his soul, nor to that strange idea which filled his whole brain.
+He retired into himself, thinking that this folly which had suddenly
+come to him would go away as suddenly, and again feeling, in spite of
+all, the certain loss of a dream which had made him so happy. And still,
+the more he looked at Paul, which he did only on the sly, not daring to
+look him in the face, as formerly, for fear of betraying himself, the
+more and more evident and real did the mysterious resemblance appear to
+him. The Dalize family had remarked the absence of mind and the
+wandering look of Monsieur Roger. Still, they thought that that was
+simply because something had reminded him of his sorrows. Even Paul
+could not help taking notice of the new attitude which Monsieur Roger
+had taken up with regard to him. The kindness and sympathy which
+Monsieur Roger had shown him in the first few days of his acquaintance
+had greatly touched the motherless boy, whose father was far away on the
+other side of the ocean.
+
+Now, for some days, it had seemed to Paul that Monsieur Roger sought to
+avoid his presence,--he neither spoke to him nor looked at him. Once
+only Paul had surprised a look which Monsieur Roger had given him, and
+in this sad look he had discovered an affection so profound that it felt
+to him almost like a paternal caress. Yet, Paul was forced to
+acknowledge that his father had never looked at him in that way.
+
+One evening, after dinner, Monsieur Dalize led his friend Roger into the
+garden in front of the house, and said to him,--
+
+"Roger, my dear friend, you have made us uneasy for some days. Now we
+are alone. What is the matter with you?"
+
+"Why, nothing is the matter with me," said Monsieur Roger, surprised at
+the question.
+
+"Why, certainly, something is the matter. What has happened to you?"
+
+"I don't understand what you mean?"
+
+"Roger, you oblige me to tread on delicate ground,--to ask you a painful
+question."
+
+"Speak."
+
+"Well, my dear friend, the change which we have noticed in you for some
+time is not my fault, is it? Or does it come from the surroundings in
+which you find yourself placed?"
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"I ask if your grief--without your knowing it, perhaps--may not have
+been revived by the happiness which reigns around you? Perhaps the
+presence of these children, who nevertheless love you already almost as
+much as they do me, awakes in your heart a terrible remembrance and
+cruel regrets?"
+
+"No, no," cried Monsieur Roger; "that is not true. But why do you ask me
+such questions?"
+
+"Because, my dear friend, you are mentally ill, and I wish to cure you."
+
+"Why, no, I am not. I am not ill either mentally or physically, I
+swear."
+
+"Don't swear," said Monsieur Dalize; "and do me the kindness to hide
+yourself for some moments behind this clump of trees. I have witnesses
+who will convince you that I still have good eyes."
+
+Monsieur Dalize got up, opened the door of the vestibule, and called
+Miette. She ran out gayly.
+
+"What do you wish, papa?" she said.
+
+"I want to see our friend Roger. Is he not in the parlor with you?"
+
+"No; he always goes his own way. He does not talk to us any longer; and
+he has had a very funny, sad look for some time. He is not the same at
+all."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Very well, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, interrupting the little
+girl. "Go back to the parlor and send me your brother."
+
+Albert soon arrived.
+
+"You wanted me, father?" said he.
+
+"Yes; I want you to repeat to me what you told your mother this
+morning."
+
+Albert thought for a moment; then he said,--
+
+"About Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I told mamma that for some time back I have heard Monsieur Roger
+walking all night in his room; only this evening I heard him crying."
+
+"That is all that I wish to know, my child. You can go back again."
+
+When Monsieur Dalize was alone, he walked around the clump of trees to
+rejoin Roger.
+
+"Well," said he, softly, "you have heard. Everybody has noticed your
+grief. Won't you tell me now what it is that you are suffering, or what
+secret is torturing you?"
+
+"Yes, I will confide this secret to you," said Monsieur Roger, "because
+you will understand me, and you will not laugh at your unhappy friend."
+And Monsieur Roger told the whole truth to his friend Dalize. He told
+him what a singular fixed idea had possessed his brain; he told him of
+the strange resemblance which he thought he had discovered between the
+features of his dear and regretted wife and the face of Paul Solange.
+
+Monsieur Dalize let his friend pour out his soul to him. He said only,
+with pitying affection, when Monsieur Roger had finished,--
+
+"My poor friend! it is a dream that is very near insanity."
+
+"Alas! that is what I tell myself; and still----"
+
+"And still?" repeated Monsieur Dalize. "You still doubt? Come with me."
+
+He re-entered the château with Roger. When he reached the parlor he went
+straight to Paul Solange.
+
+"Paul," said he, "to-morrow is the mail, and I shall write to your
+father."
+
+"Ah, sir," answered Paul, "I will give you my letter; maybe you can put
+it in yours."
+
+Monsieur Dalize seemed to be trying to think of something.
+
+"How long a time is it," said he, "since I have had the pleasure of
+seeing your excellent father?"
+
+"Two years, sir; but he will surely come to France this winter."
+
+Monsieur Dalize looked at Roger; then he whispered in his ear,--
+
+"You have heard."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+FIRE.
+
+
+Certainly Monsieur Roger had heard, certainly he tried to convince
+himself; but when his looks fell upon Paul, his reason forsook him and
+he doubted again, and even he hoped. Some days passed in a semi-sadness
+that made every one feel uneasy. The children, without knowing why, knew
+that something had happened which troubled the mutual happiness of their
+life. Monsieur and Madame Dalize alone understood and pitied their
+friend Roger. They endeavored to interest him in other things,--but
+Monsieur Roger refused walks, excursions, and the invitations of the
+neighbors. He had asked Monsieur Dalize to let him alone for a while, as
+he felt the need of solitude.
+
+One morning Albert said to his father,--
+
+"Father, Paul and I wish to go with a fishing-party to the farm, as we
+did last year. Will you allow us to do so?"
+
+"Yes," answered Monsieur Dalize; "but on one condition."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"That you take Monsieur Roger with you."
+
+Albert looked at his father, and answered,--
+
+"Then you refuse?"
+
+"Why, no,--I only make that condition."
+
+"Yes, father; but as we cannot fulfil the condition, it is equal to a
+refusal."
+
+"Why cannot you fulfil it? What is there so difficult about it?"
+
+"You know as well as I, my dear father, Monsieur Roger has been for some
+time very sad, very preoccupied; he wants to remain by himself, and
+consequently he will refuse to go to the farm."
+
+"Who knows?"
+
+"Well, at all events, I would not dare to ask him."
+
+"Well, then, let Paul do it."
+
+"But what would Paul say?"
+
+"He will say that I am detained here, that I cannot come with you, and
+that, not thinking it prudent to allow you to go fishing alone, I
+object to it unless Monsieur Roger will consent to take my place."
+
+"Very well, father," said Albert, in a disappointed tone. "We will see
+whether Paul succeeds; but I am afraid he will not."
+
+But Paul did succeed. Monsieur Roger could not resist the request so
+pleasantly made by the boy. That evening, after dinner, they left home
+to sleep at the farm, which was situated on the borders of the River
+Yonne. They had to get up at daybreak in order to begin their fishing.
+The farmers gave up to Monsieur Roger the only spare room they had in
+the house. Albert and Paul had to sleep in what they called the turret.
+This turret, the last mossy vestige of the feudal castle, whose very
+windows were old loop-holes, now furnished with panes of glass, stood
+against one end of the farm-house. It was divided into three stories:
+the first story was a place where they kept hay and straw; in the second
+there slept a young farm-boy; the higher story was reserved for another
+servant, who was just now absent.
+
+"In war we must do as the warriors do," cried Albert, gayly; "besides,
+we have not so long to sleep. You may take whichever room you like the
+best."
+
+"I will take the highest story, if you are willing," answered Paul; "the
+view must be beautiful."
+
+"Oh, the view! through the loop-holes and their blackened glasses!
+However, you can climb up on the old platform of the turret if you wish.
+It is covered with zinc, like the roof of an ordinary house; but, all
+the same, one can walk upon it. Come, I will show it to you."
+
+The wooden staircase was easily ascended by the boys. When they had
+reached the room which Paul was to occupy, Albert pointed his hand
+towards the ceiling and made Paul remark a large bolt.
+
+"See," said he: "you have only to get upon a chair to draw this bolt and
+to push the trap-door, which gives admission to the turret. On the roof
+you will, in fact, see a beautiful view."
+
+"I shall do that to-morrow morning, when I get up," answered Paul.
+
+Albert, after he had said good-night to his friend, descended the
+staircase and slept in the bed which the farm-boy had yielded to him;
+the latter was to spend the night upon a bed of hay in the first story.
+
+A distant clock in the country had struck twelve. Monsieur Roger had
+opened the window of his room, and, being unable to sleep, was thinking,
+still the prey to the fixed idea, still occupied by the strange
+resemblance; and now the two names of Paul and George mingled together
+in his mind and were applied only to the one and the same dear being.
+Suddenly the odor of smoke came to him, brought on the breeze. In the
+cloudy night he saw nothing, and still the smoke grew more and more
+distinct. Every one was asleep at the farm: no light was burning, no
+sound was heard. Monsieur Roger bent over the window-sill and looked
+uneasily around him. The loop-holes of the lower story of the turret
+were illuminated; then sparks escaped from it, soon followed by jets of
+flame. At the same instant the wooden door which opened into the yard
+was violently burst open, and Monsieur Roger saw two young people in
+their night-gowns fleeing together and crying with a loud voice. This
+was all so quick that Monsieur Roger had had neither the time nor the
+thought of calling for help. A spasm of fear had seized him, which was
+calmed, now that Paul and Albert were safe; but the alarm had been
+given, and the farm-hands had awakened. But what help could they expect?
+The nearest village was six miles off; the turret would be burned before
+the engines could arrive. Monsieur Roger had run out with the others to
+witness this fire which they could not extinguish. He held Albert in his
+arms, embraced him, and said to him,--
+
+"But, tell me, where is Paul?"
+
+Albert looked around him.
+
+"He must be here,--unless fright has made him run away."
+
+"No, he is not here. But you are sure that he ran out of the tower, are
+you not?"
+
+"Certainly, since it was he who came and shook me in my bed while I was
+asleep."
+
+At this moment a young boy in a night-gown came out of the crowd, and,
+approaching Albert, said,--
+
+"No; it was I, sir, who shook you."
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at the boy who had just spoken, and he felt a
+horrible fear take possession of him. He saw that it was the farm-boy.
+It must have been he whom he had seen fleeing a moment before with
+Albert. But Paul? Had he remained in the turret? And the flames which
+licked the walls had almost reached the floor where Paul was sleeping.
+Was the poor boy still asleep? Had he heard nothing?
+
+"A ladder!" cried Monsieur Roger, with a cry of fear and despair.
+
+The ladder was immediately brought; but it was impossible to place it
+against the turret, whose base was in flames.
+
+Monsieur Roger in a second had examined the battlements which composed
+the roof. He ran towards the farm-house, climbed up the staircase to the
+top story, opened a trap-door, and found himself upon the roof. Crawling
+on his hands and knees, following the ridge of the roof, he reached the
+turret, and found himself even with the story where Paul Solange was
+asleep. The loop-hole was before him. With a blow of his elbow he broke
+the glass; then he cried,--
+
+"Paul! Paul!"
+
+Below the people looked at him in mournful silence. No reply came from
+the room; he could see nothing through the darkness. Monsieur Roger had
+a gleam of hope: Paul must have escaped. But a sheet of fire higher than
+the others threw a sudden light through the loop-hole on the other side.
+
+Monsieur Roger was seized with indescribable anguish. Paul Solange was
+there in his bed. Was he asleep? Monsieur Roger cried out anew with all
+his force. Paul remained motionless. Then Monsieur Roger leaned over the
+roof, and said to the people below,--
+
+"Cry at the top of your voices! Make a noise!"
+
+But the next moment he made a sign to them to be silent,--for Monsieur
+Roger had felt somebody crawling behind him, somebody who had followed
+his perilous path. It was Albert Dalize.
+
+"Oh, my friend,--my poor friend!" cried Monsieur Roger; "what can we do?
+Is it not enough to make you crazy? See! the staircase is in flames. You
+can hardly pass your arm through the loop-holes. Whether he wakes or
+not, he is lost." And then he said, with an awful gravity, "Then, it is
+better he should not awake."
+
+"No," replied Albert, quickly; "there is an opening at the top of the
+tower."
+
+"There is an opening?"
+
+"Yes, a trap-door, which I showed him only a little while ago, before we
+went to sleep."
+
+Monsieur Roger raised himself upon the roof to a standing position.
+
+"What are you doing?" cried Albert.
+
+"I am going to try to reach the top of the tower."
+
+"It is useless; the bolt opens in the room. Paul only can open it."
+
+"Paul can open it."
+
+"If he awakes. But how is it he does not awake?"
+
+And in his turn Albert called to his friend.
+
+Paul made no movement. The flames were gaining, growing more and more
+light, and the smoke was filtering through the plank floor and filling
+the room.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Ah, I understand," cried Monsieur Roger, "I understand: he is not
+sleeping. That is not sleep,--that is asphyxia."
+
+"Asphyxia?" repeated Albert, in a voice choked with fear.
+
+The scene was terrible. There was the boy, a prisoner, who was going to
+die under the eyes of those who loved him, and separated from them
+solely by a circle of stone and of fire,--a circle which they could not
+cross. He was going to die without any knowledge that he was dying.
+Asphyxia held him in a death-like trance. Albert saw the floor of the
+room crack and a tongue of flame shoot up, which lighted up the sleeping
+face of Paul Solange. Then he heard a strange cry from a terrified and
+awful voice. The voice cried,--
+
+"George! George!"
+
+And it was Monsieur Roger who had twice called that name.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+SAVED.
+
+
+Albert still looked. Then he saw Paul Solange raise himself upon his
+bed, and, seeing the fire, pass his hands over his eyes and his
+forehead, jump to the floor, reflect a moment, as if endeavoring to
+remember something, then seize a chair, get upon it, and pull the bolt
+of the trap-door. At the same time he remarked that Monsieur Roger was
+no longer near him. Braving the danger, Monsieur Roger had jumped from
+the roof, and succeeded in reaching the top of the turret; and now it
+was he who pulled Paul from the trap-door and gathered him up in his
+arms. The boy had fainted. Obeying an order shouted by Albert, two
+farm-boys trusted themselves upon the roof, bringing with them a ladder
+and ropes. Then Monsieur Roger was able to come down with his precious
+burden.
+
+Albert lent his aid to the rescuer, and Paul was taken down into the
+yard. At this moment a carriage arrived, which had been driving at the
+top of its speed. It stopped at the door of the farm-house. Monsieur
+Dalize appeared. From the château the flames had been seen by a
+watchman, who had gone to awake his master. Monsieur Dalize,
+understanding the danger, frightened at what might be happening over
+there in that farm-house on fire, under that roof which sheltered his
+child, his best friend, and Paul Solange, had immediately harnessed a
+horse, with the aid of the watchman, and, telling him to say nothing to
+Madame Dalize, had departed at the top of his speed. He arrived in time
+to see Monsieur Roger and Albert, who were bearing Paul with them. He
+approached, trembling.
+
+"Paul!" he cried.
+
+"Calm yourself," Monsieur Roger hastened to say: "he has only fainted.
+It is nothing; but we shall have to take him home."
+
+"The carriage is ready."
+
+"Then everything is for the best."
+
+Paul was seated in the carriage, between Albert and Monsieur Roger. The
+latter had placed his left arm under Paul's head to sustain him. The
+poor child was still insensible; but there could be no better remedy
+for him than the fresh air of the night,--the fresh air which the rapid
+movement of the carriage caused to penetrate into his lungs. Monsieur
+Dalize, who drove, turned around frequently, looking at Roger. The
+latter held in his right hand Paul Solange's hand, and from time to time
+placed his ear against the boy's breast.
+
+"Well?" said Monsieur Dalize, anxiously.
+
+"His pulse is still insensible," answered Monsieur Roger; "but stop your
+horse for a moment."
+
+The carriage stopped. Then, being no longer interfered with by the
+noise, Monsieur Roger again applied his ear, and said,--
+
+"His heart beats; it beats very feebly, but it beats. Now go ahead."
+
+Again the carriage started. At the end of some minutes, Monsieur Roger,
+who still held Paul's wrist between his fingers, suddenly felt beneath
+the pulsations of the radial artery. He cried out, with a loud voice,
+but it was a cry of joy,--
+
+"He is saved!" he said to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+At that very moment Paul Solange opened his eyes; but he closed them
+again, as if a heavy sleep, stronger than his will, were weighing upon
+his eyelids. Again he opened them, and looked with an undecided look,
+without understanding. At that moment they arrived at the house.
+Everybody was on foot. The fire at the farm had been perceived by others
+besides the watchman. They had all risen from their beds, and Madame
+Dalize, awakened by the noise, had, unfortunately, learned the terrible
+news. She was awaiting in cruel agony the return of her husband. At last
+she saw him driving the carriage and bringing with him the beings who
+were dear to her. Paul, leaning on the arms of Monsieur Roger and
+Albert, was able to cross the slight distance which separated them from
+the vestibule. There Monsieur Roger made him sit down in an arm-chair,
+near the window, which he opened wide. Monsieur and Madame Dalize and
+Albert stood beside Paul, looking at him silently and uneasily; but they
+were reassured by the expression of Monsieur Roger. With common accord
+they left him the care of his dear patient. Monsieur Roger was looking
+at Paul with tender eyes,--an expression of happiness, of joy, illumined
+his face: and this expression, which Monsieur Dalize had not seen for
+long years upon the face of his friend, seemed to him incomprehensible,
+for he was still ignorant of the extraordinary thing that had happened.
+At this moment, Miss Miette, in her night-cap, hardly taking time to
+dress herself, rushed into the vestibule. Her childish sleep had been
+interrupted by the tumult in the house. She had run down half awake.
+
+"Mamma, Mamma," she cried, "what is the matter?"
+
+Then, as she ran to throw herself upon her mother's knees, she saw the
+arm-chair and Paul sitting in it. She stopped at once, and, before they
+had the time or the thought of stopping her, she had taken Paul's hands,
+saying to him, very sadly,--
+
+"Paul, Paul, are you sick?"
+
+Paul's eyes, which until this time had remained clouded and as if fixed
+upon something which he could not see, turned to Miette. Little by
+little they brightened as his senses returned to him: his eyes commenced
+to sparkle. He looked, and, with a soft but weary voice, he murmured,--
+
+"Miette, my little Miette."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Then he turned his head, trying to find out where it was he found
+himself, who were the people around him.
+
+"What has happened?" he asked.
+
+Nobody dared to answer. Everybody waited for Monsieur Roger; but
+Monsieur Roger kept silent. He let nature take care of itself. Indeed,
+he even hid himself slightly behind Monsieur Dalize. Paul's looks passed
+over the faces which were in front or beside him; but they did not stop
+there: they seemed to look for something or some one which they did not
+meet. Then, with a sudden movement, Paul bent over a little. He saw
+Monsieur Roger; he started; the blood came back to his face; he tried to
+speak, and could only let fall a few confused words. But, though they
+could not understand his words, what they did understand was his
+gesture. He held out his arms towards Monsieur Roger. The latter
+advanced and clasped Paul Solange in a fatherly embrace.
+
+The effort made by the sick boy had wearied him. He closed his eyes in
+sleep; but this time it was a healthy sleep, a refreshing sleep.
+
+Monsieur Roger and Monsieur Dalize took the sleeping Paul up to his
+room. And Miss Miette, as she regained her boudoir, said to herself,
+with astonishment,--
+
+"It is extraordinary! Monsieur Roger embraced Paul as if he were his
+papa."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+GEORGE! GEORGE!
+
+
+Monsieur Roger stayed up all the remainder of that night by the side of
+Paul, whose sleep was calm and dreamless, like the sleep which succeeds
+to some strong emotion, some great fatigue. Paul was still sleeping in
+the morning when Monsieur Dalize softly turned the handle of the door
+and entered the room on tiptoe. His entrance was made with so much
+precaution that Monsieur Roger himself did not hear him.
+
+Monsieur Dalize had some seconds in which to observe Roger. He saw him
+sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed upon the child, in a thoughtful
+attitude. Monsieur Roger was studying the delicate face which lay upon
+the pillow. He examined its features one by one, and, thinking himself
+alone, thinking that he would not be interrupted in this examination, he
+was calling up the mysterious resemblance with which he had already
+acquainted his friend. But he had not just now begun this study,--he had
+pursued it all night. The light, however, of the lowered lamp had not
+been favorable, and the emotion which he felt agitated him still too
+much to leave his judgment clear. When the morning sun had risen,
+chasing away all the vague images of the darkness and the doubts of the
+mind. Roger, having recovered his composure, looked at the child whom he
+had saved, and asked himself if the child was not his own. He was drawn
+from these reflections by feeling himself touched upon the shoulder.
+Monsieur Dalize had approached and asked,--
+
+"Has he passed a good night?"
+
+"Excellent," answered Monsieur Roger, in a low tone; "but we must let
+him sleep as long as he can. Give orders that no noise shall be made
+around here and that no one shall enter. He must awake of his own
+accord. When he awakes he will only feel a slight fatigue."
+
+"Then I am going to give these orders and tell the good news," said
+Monsieur Dalize.
+
+He retired as softly as he had entered, but by accident, near the door,
+he stumbled against a chair. He stopped, holding his breath; but Roger
+made a sign that he could go on. The slight noise had not awakened Paul,
+or at least had not awakened him completely; he had turned around upon
+his bed for the first time since he had been placed there. Monsieur
+Roger, who never took his eyes off him, understood that he was dreaming.
+The dream seemed to be a painful one, for some feeble groans and murmurs
+escaped him. Then upon the face of the sleeping child appeared an
+expression of great fear. Monsieur Roger did not wish to leave Paul a
+prey to such a dream. He approached near to raise him a little upon the
+bed. The moment that Monsieur Roger's two hands softly touched Paul's
+head, the expression of fear disappeared, the features became quiet and
+calm, the groans ceased, and suddenly there escaped his lips the single
+word "Papa."
+
+Monsieur Roger started. With his trembling hands he still sustained the
+child; he bent over, ready to embrace him, forgetting that the child was
+sleeping and dreaming. Monsieur Roger was about to utter the name which
+choked him,--"My son."
+
+Then Paul Solange opened his eyes. He looked up dreamily; then he
+recognized the face before him, and surprise mingled with affection in
+his tones.
+
+"Monsieur Roger!" he said.
+
+He looked around him, saw that he was in his own room, and remembered
+nothing else. He asked,--
+
+"Why are you here, Monsieur Roger?"
+
+Mastering himself, Monsieur Roger answered that he had come to find out
+how Paul was, as he had seen him suffering the night before.
+
+"I, suffering?" asked Paul. Then he sought to remember, and, all of a
+sudden, he cried, "The fire over there at the farm!"
+
+Although his memory had not entirely returned, he recollected something.
+He hesitated to speak. Then, with an anxious voice, he asked,--
+
+"And Albert?"
+
+"Albert," answered Monsieur Roger, "he is below; and everybody is
+waiting until you come down to breakfast."
+
+"Then there were no accidents?"
+
+"No."
+
+"How fortunate! I will dress myself and be down in a minute."
+
+And, in fact, in a few minutes Paul was ready, and descended leaning on
+Monsieur Roger's arm.
+
+The latter, as they entered the dining-room, made a sign to them that
+they should all keep silence: he did not wish that they should fatigue
+the tired mind of the child with premature questions; but when they were
+sitting at the table, Paul, addressing Albert, said,--
+
+"Tell me what passed last night. It is strange I scarcely remember."
+
+"No," said Madame Dalize: "we are at table for breakfast, and we have
+all need for food,--you, Paul, above all. Come, now, let us eat; a
+little later we may talk."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is well said," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+There was nothing to do but to obey. And, indeed, Paul was glad to do
+so, for he was very hungry. He had lost so much strength that the
+stomach for the moment was more interesting to him than the brain. They
+breakfasted, and then they went out upon the lawn before the château,
+under a large walnut-tree, which every day gave its hospitable shade to
+the Dalize family and their guests.
+
+"Well, my dear Paul," said Monsieur Dalize, "how are you at present?"
+
+"Very well, indeed, sir, very well," answered Paul. "I was a little
+feeble when I first awoke, but now,--now----"
+
+He stopped speaking; he seemed lost in thought.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Albert.
+
+"I am thinking of last night at the farm,--the fire."
+
+"Oh, that was nothing," said Albert.
+
+"But," continued Paul, "how did we get back here?"
+
+"In the carriage. Father came for us and brought us home."
+
+"And how did we leave the farm?"
+
+Monsieur Roger followed with rapt attention the workings of Paul's
+memory. He was waiting in burning anxiety the moment when Paul should
+remember. One principal fact, only one thing occupied his attention.
+Would Paul remember how and by whom he had been borne from the torpor
+which was strangling him? Would he remember that cry,--that name which
+had had the miraculous power to awake him, to bring him back to life? If
+Paul remembered that, then, perhaps---- And again Monsieur Roger was a
+prey to his fixed idea,--to his stroke of folly, as Monsieur Dalize
+called it.
+
+The latter, besides, knew nothing as yet, and Monsieur Roger counted
+upon the sudden revelation of this extraordinary fact to shake his
+conviction. But Paul had repeated his question. He asked,--
+
+"How did we leave the farm-house? How were we saved?"
+
+And as Albert did not know whether he should speak, whether he should
+tell everything, Paul continued:
+
+"But speak, explain to me: I am trying to find out. I cannot remember;
+and that gives me pain here." And he touched his head.
+
+Monsieur Roger made a sign to Albert, and the latter spoke:
+
+"Well, do you remember the turret, where we had our rooms? You slept
+above, I below. Do you remember the trap-door that I showed you? In the
+middle of the night I felt myself awakened by somebody, and I followed
+him. In my half sleep I thought that this some one was you, my poor
+friend; but, alas! you remained above; you were sleeping without fear.
+Why, it was Monsieur Roger who first saw the danger that you were in."
+
+Paul, while Albert was speaking, had bent his head, seeking in his
+memory and beginning to put in order his scattered thoughts. When
+Albert pronounced the name of Monsieur Roger, Paul raised his eyes
+towards him with a look which showed that he would soon remember.
+
+"And afterwards?" said he.
+
+"And afterwards Monsieur Roger climbed upon the roof, at the risk of his
+life, and reached the loop-hole which opened into your chamber. He broke
+the glass of the window; but you did not hear him: the smoke which was
+issuing through the floor had made you insensible,--had almost
+asphyxiated you."
+
+"Ah, I remember!" cried Paul. "I was sleeping, and, at the same time, I
+was not sleeping. I knew that I was exposed to some great danger, but I
+had not the strength to make a movement. I seemed paralyzed. I heard
+cries and confused murmurs, sounds of people coming and going. I felt
+that I ought to rise and flee, but that was impossible. My arms, my legs
+would not obey me; my eyelids, which I attempted to open, were of lead.
+I soon thought that everything was finished, that I was lost; and still
+I was saying to myself that I might be raised out of this stupor. It
+seemed to me that the efforts of some one outside might be so, that an
+order, a prayer might give back to my will the power which it had lost;
+but the stupor took hold of me more and more intensely. I was going to
+abandon myself to it, when, all of a sudden, I heard myself called. Yes,
+somebody called me; but not in the same way that I have been called
+before. In that cry there was such a command, such a prayer, so much
+faith, that my will at once recovered strength to make my body obey it.
+I roused myself; I saw and I understood, and, luckily, I remembered the
+trap-door which you had shown me. I could scarcely lift it; but there
+was some one there,--yes, some one who saved me."
+
+Paul Solange uttered a great cry.
+
+"Ah," said he, "it was Monsieur Roger!" And he ran to throw himself into
+the arms which Monsieur Roger extended to him.
+
+Miss Miette profited by the occasion to wipe her eyes, which this scene
+had filled with big tears in spite of herself. Then she turned to Paul,
+and said,--
+
+"But the one who called to you? Was it true? It was not a dream?"
+
+"Oh, no; it was some one. But who was it?"
+
+"It was Monsieur Roger," answered Albert.
+
+"And so you understood him?" continued Miette, very much interested.
+"And he called you loudly by your name, 'Paul! Paul!'"
+
+Paul Solange did not answer. This question had suddenly set him to
+thinking. No, he had not heard himself called thus. But how had he been
+called?
+
+Seeing that Paul was silent, Albert answered his little sister's
+question:
+
+"Certainly," said he, "he called Paul by his name."
+
+Then he interrupted himself, and, remembering all of a sudden:
+
+"No," cried he; "Monsieur Roger called out another name."
+
+"What other name?" asked Monsieur Dalize, much surprised.
+
+"He cried out, 'George! George!'"
+
+Monsieur Dalize turned his head towards Roger and saw the eyes of his
+friend fixed upon his own. He understood at once. Poor Roger was still a
+slave to the same thought, the same illusion.
+
+Madame Dalize and Miette, who were acquainted with the sorrows of
+Monsieur Roger, imagined that in this moment of trouble he had in spite
+of himself called up the image of his child. Paul, very gravely, was
+dreamily saying to himself that the name of George was the name which he
+had heard, and that it was to the sound of this name that he had
+answered, and he was asking himself the mysterious reason for such a
+fact.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A PROOF?
+
+
+Monsieur Dalize took his friend Roger by the arm, and they walked
+together down one of the solitary pathways of the park. When they were
+some distance off from Madame Dalize and the children, Monsieur Dalize
+stopped, looked his friend squarely in the eyes, and said, in a
+faltering tone,--
+
+"Then you still think it? You have retained that foolish idea? You think
+that Paul----?"
+
+"Yes," interrupted Monsieur Roger, in a firm voice, and without
+avoiding the eyes of his friend, "I think it, and more than that."
+Then, lowering his head, in a softened tone, but without hesitation, he
+said, "I think that Paul is my son."
+
+Monsieur Dalize looked at his friend with a feeling of real pity.
+
+"Your son?" he said. "You think that Paul is your son? And on what do
+you found this improbable, this impossible belief? Upon a likeness which
+your sorrowful spirit persists in tracing. Truly, my dear Roger, you
+grieve me. I thought you had a firmer as well as a clearer head. To whom
+could you confide such absurd ideas?"
+
+"To you, in the first place, as I have already done," said Monsieur
+Roger, gravely. "The resemblance which you doubt, and which, in fact,
+seems impossible to prove, is not a resemblance which I see between Paul
+and George, but between Paul and her who was his mother; of that I am
+sure."
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Yes; and in speaking thus I am in possession of all my senses, as you
+see. Now, would you like to know what further clue I have? Perhaps I
+have one. I will tell it to you."
+
+Here Monsieur Roger interrupted himself.
+
+"No," said he: "you will laugh at me."
+
+"Speak," said Monsieur Dalize. "I am sorry for you, and I shall not
+laugh at your delusion. Speak. I will listen."
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "this very morning, when you left the
+room, the noise that you made troubled the sleep of Paul; a dream passed
+through his brain, and I followed all its phases. I saw that Paul was
+going over the terrible scene of the night before; I knew that by the
+terror of his face and by the murmur of his lips. He evidently thought
+himself exposed to danger; then it seemed as if he heard something, as
+if he knew that help was at hand. He made a movement, as if to extend
+his hands, and from his mouth came this word, 'Papa.'"
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at his friend, who remained silent.
+
+"You have not understood?" he said.
+
+Monsieur Dalize shook his head.
+
+"Ah, but I understood," continued Monsieur Roger; "I am certain that I
+understood. In his dream Paul--no, no, not Paul, but George, my little
+George--had heard himself called as ten years ago he had been called at
+the time of the shipwreck, during the fire on shipboard, and he was
+answering to that call; and it was to no stranger that he was answering;
+it was not to Monsieur Roger; no, it was to his father: it was to me."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped, seeking some other proof which he might furnish
+to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+The latter was plunged in thought; his friend's faith commenced to shake
+his doubt. He certainly did not share Roger's idea, but he was saying to
+himself that perhaps this idea was not so impossible as it would seem at
+first sight.
+
+Roger continued, hesitating from the moment he had to pronounce the name
+of Paul Solange:
+
+"You remember exactly the story that Paul told. Were you not struck with
+it? Did not Paul acknowledge that in his torpor, in his semi-asphyxia,
+he had called for help, called to his assistance some unknown force
+which would shake and awake his dazed and half-paralyzed will? And did
+not this help come, this sudden force, when he felt himself called? Now,
+how many times I had cried out 'Paul' without waking the child! Paul was
+not his name; he did not hear it. I had to shout to him, making use of
+his own name, his real name. I cried out, 'George!' and George heard and
+understood me. George was saved."
+
+Monsieur Dalize listened attentively: he was following up a train of
+reasoning. At the end of some moments he answered Monsieur Roger, who
+was awaiting with impatience the result of his thoughts.
+
+"Alas, my poor friend! in spite of all my reason tells me, I should like
+to leave to you your hope, but it is impossible. I have seen Paul's
+father; I know him; I have spoken to him, I have touched him; that
+father is not a shadow,--he exists in flesh and blood. You have heard
+Paul himself speak of him. In a few months he will come to Paris; you
+will see him; and then you will be convinced."
+
+"But have you seen the birth-register of Paul Solange?" asked Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+"Have I seen it? I may have done so, but I don't remember just now."
+
+"But that register must have been made; it must be in France, in the
+hands of some one."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Where can it be?"
+
+"At the Lyceum, in the dockets of the registrar."
+
+"Well, my friend, my dear friend, I must see it. You understand?"
+
+"Yes, I understand. You wish to have under your own eyes the proof of
+your mistake. You shall have it. As the guardian of Paul Solange, I will
+write the registrar to send me a copy of that birth-register. Are you
+satisfied?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And now, I ask you to be calm, to keep cool."
+
+"Oh, don't be uneasy about me," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+Then the two friends rejoined the group which they had left.
+
+Miette rose when she saw Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Ah!" she cried, "Monsieur Roger is going to tell us that."
+
+"That? What?" asked Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Why, what asphyxia is," answered Miette.
+
+"Ah, my friend," said Monsieur Dalize, turning to Roger, "I will leave
+the word to you."
+
+"Very well," answered Monsieur Roger. "Asphyxia is,--it is----"
+
+And as Monsieur Roger was seeking for some easy words in which to
+explain himself, Miette cried out, with a laugh,--
+
+"Perhaps you don't know yourself,--you who know everything?"
+
+"Yes, I know it," answered Monsieur Roger, with a smile; "but, in order
+to tell you, I must first explain to you what is the formation of the
+blood, and tell you something of oxygen and carbonic acid, and----"
+
+"Well, tell us," cried Miette, "if you think it will interest us.--It
+will, won't it, Paul?"
+
+Paul bent his head.
+
+Monsieur Roger saw this gesture, and replied,--
+
+"Well, then, I am going to tell you."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE AIR AND THE LUNGS.
+
+
+"In order to live," continued Monsieur Roger, "you must breathe. You
+don't doubt that?"
+
+"No," said Miss Miette, seriously.
+
+"Now, respiration consists in the absorption by the blood of some of the
+oxygen of the air and in breathing out carbonic acid. The oxygen, in
+combining with the carbon and hydrogen of the blood, excites a real
+combustion in the lungs, which results in the production of heat and in
+the exhalation of vapor and carbonic acid."
+
+Monsieur Roger was going to continue in the same scientific tone, when
+Monsieur Dalize remarked to him that his explanation did not seem to be
+at all understood by the children.
+
+The latter, a little embarrassed, held their tongues.
+
+"You are right," replied Monsieur Roger, addressing Monsieur Dalize;
+"that is a silence which is certainly not very flattering. I intend to
+profit by this lesson by beginning once more at the beginning."
+
+"You are right," said Miette.
+
+"Well, then, respiration is the very important function whose object is
+to introduce air into our lungs.
+
+"What are the lungs, and why is it necessary to introduce air into them?
+And, in the first place, how is this air introduced? Through the mouth
+and through the nose. Then it passes through the larynx and arrives at a
+large tube, which is called the trachea, or wind-pipe. It is this tube
+which, as I shall show you, forms the two lungs. As it enters the chest,
+this tube branches out into two smaller tubes, which are called the
+primary bronches. One of these bronches goes to the right, to make the
+right lung; the other to the left, to make the left lung. Each primary
+bronche is soon divided into a number of little tubes, called secondary
+bronches. The secondary bronches divide up into a number of other tubes,
+which are still smaller; and so on, and so on. Imagine a tree with two
+branches, one spreading towards the right, and the other towards the
+left. Upon these two branches grow other branches; upon these other
+branches still others, and so on. The branches become smaller and
+smaller until they become mere twigs. Now, imagine these twigs ending in
+leaves, and you will have some idea of that which is sometimes called
+the pulmonary tree, with its thousand branches."
+
+"No," said Miette: "bronches."
+
+"Bronches,--you are right," said Monsieur Roger, who could not help
+smiling at Miss Miette. "The tree which I have taken as a comparison
+finishes by dividing itself into twigs, which, as I have said, end in
+leaves. But you know, of course, that the twigs of the pulmonary tree in
+our breast do not end in leaves. They end in a sort of very small cells,
+surrounded by very thin walls. These cells are so small that they need a
+microscope to detect them, and their walls are very, very thin; the
+cells are all stuck fast together, and together they constitute a spongy
+mass, which is the lung. Now let us pass to the second question: Why is
+it necessary to introduce air into the lungs?"
+
+"Yes," said Miette; "let us pass to that."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"The blood, in going out of the heart, circulates to all the parts of
+the body in order to make necessary repairs; at the same time it charges
+itself with all the old matter which has been used up and is no longer
+any good and carries it along. Now, what is it going to do with this old
+matter? It will burn it. Where will it burn it? In the lungs. Now, there
+can be no combustion when there is no air. The blood, wishing to burn
+its waste matter, and wishing also to purify the alimentary principles
+which the veins have drawn from the stomach, has need of air. Where will
+it find it? In the lungs. And that is why it is necessary to introduce
+air into our lungs, or, in other words, that is why we breathe. The
+lungs are a simple intermediary between the air and the blood. Among the
+cells of the lungs veins finer than hair wind and turn. These veins
+gather up the blood filled with waste matter. It is blood of a black
+color, which is called venous blood. The walls of the veins which
+transport the blood are so thin that air, under the atmospheric
+pressure,--this pressure which I have told you all about,--passes
+through them and into the blood. Then the venous blood charges itself
+with the oxygen contained in the air, and frees itself from what I have
+called its waste material, and which is nothing less than carbon.
+Immediately its aspect changes. This venous blood becomes what is called
+arterial blood; this black blood becomes rich vermilion,--it is
+regenerated. It goes out again to carry life to all our organs. Now,
+this time," asked Monsieur Roger, pausing, "have I made myself
+understood?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes," said Miette, speaking both for Paul and for herself; "yes, we
+have understood,--except when you speak of oxygen, of carbon, and of
+combustion."
+
+"Oh, I was wrong to speak of them," answered Monsieur Roger, pretending
+to be vexed.
+
+"That may be," answered Miss Miette, very calmly; "but as you did speak
+of them, you must tell us what they are."
+
+"Yes, you must, my friend," remarked Monsieur Dalize, taking sides with
+his little girl.
+
+"Mustn't he, papa? mustn't Monsieur Roger explain?" asked Miette.
+
+"Come, now," said Monsieur Roger, in a resigned tone. "You must know,
+then, that air is composed of two gases,--oxygen and nitrogen;
+therefore, when we breathe, we send into our lungs oxygen and nitrogen.
+You might think, when we throw out this air, when we exhale,--you might
+think, I say, that this air coming out of our lungs is still composed of
+oxygen and of nitrogen in the same proportions. Now, it is not so at
+all. The quantity of nitrogen has not varied, but, in the first place,
+there is less oxygen, and there is another gas,--carbonic acid gas;
+where, then, is the oxygen which we have not exhaled, and whence comes
+this carbonic acid which we did not inhale? Then, besides, in the air
+exhaled there is vapor. Where does that come from? These phenomena
+result from the combustion of which I speak; but, in order that you
+should understand how this combustion occurs, I must explain to you what
+is oxygen and what is nitrogen. And as it is a long story, you must let
+me put it off till this evening; then I will talk until you are weary,
+my dear little Miette."
+
+Miette looked at Albert and Paul, and answered for them with remarkable
+frankness:
+
+"It will be only right if you do weary us. It is we who asked you, and,
+besides, we have so often wearied you that it is only right you should
+have your revenge on us. Still----"
+
+"Still, what?"
+
+"Still, we can trust you," added Miette, laughing, and throwing her arms
+around Roger's neck.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+OXYGEN.
+
+
+"We were saying that oxygen----" cried Miss Miette, with a smile, that
+evening, after dinner, seeing that Monsieur Roger had completely
+forgotten his promise.
+
+"Yes," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, as he wished to distract his
+friend from sad thoughts; "yes, my dear Roger, we were saying that
+oxygen----"
+
+"Is a gas," continued Monsieur Roger, good-humoredly. "Yes, it is a
+gas; and Miette, I suppose, will want to ask me, 'What is gas?'"
+
+"Certainly," said Miette.
+
+"Well, it is only recently that we have found out, although the old
+scientists, who called themselves alchemists, had remarked that besides
+those things that come within reach of our senses there also exists
+something invisible, impalpable; and, as their scientific methods did
+not enable them to detect this thing, they had considered it a portion
+of the spirit land; and indeed some of the names which they adopted
+under this idea still remain in common use. Don't we often call alcohol
+'spirits of wine'? As these ancients did not see the air which
+surrounded them, it was difficult for them to know that men live in an
+ocean of gas, in the same way as fish live in water; and they could not
+imagine that air is a matter just as much as water is. You remember that
+universal gravitation was discovered through----"
+
+"The fall of an apple," said Miette.
+
+"Yes; and that was something that every one knew; it was a very common
+fact that an apple would fall. Well, it was another common fact, another
+well-known thing, which enabled the Fleming Van Helmont to discover in
+the seventeenth century the real existence of gases, or at least of a
+gas. Van Helmont, one winter evening, was struck by the difference
+between the bulk of the wood which burned on his hearth and the bulk of
+the ashes left by the wood after its combustion. He wished to examine
+into this phenomenon, and he made some experiments. He readily found
+that sixty-two pounds of charcoal left, after combustion, only one pound
+of ashes. Now, what had become of the other sixty-one pounds? Reason
+showed him that they had been transformed into something invisible, or,
+according to the language of the times, into some aërial spirit. This
+something Van Helmont called 'gaast,' which in Flemish means spirit, and
+which is the same word as our ghost. From the word gaast we have made
+our word gas. The gas which Van Helmont discovered was, as we now know,
+carbonic acid. This scientist made another experiment which caused him
+to think a good deal, but which he could not explain. Now, we can repeat
+this experiment, if it will give you any pleasure."
+
+"Certainly," said Miette; "what shall I bring you?"
+
+"Only two things,--a soup-plate and a candle."
+
+Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it in the middle of the
+soup-plate, which he had filled with water. Then he sought among the
+instruments which had come with the air-pump, and found a little glass
+globe. He placed the globe over the candle in the middle of the plate.
+Very soon, as if by a species of suction, the water of the plate rose in
+the globe; then the candle went out.
+
+"Can Miss Miette explain to me what she has just seen?" said Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Miette reflected, and said,--
+
+"As the water rose in the globe, it must have been because the air had
+left the globe, since the water came to take its place."
+
+"Yes," answered Monsieur Roger; "but the air could not leave the globe,
+as there is no opening in the globe on top, and below it there is water.
+It did not leave the globe, but it diminished. Now, tell me why it
+diminished."
+
+"Ah, I cannot tell you."
+
+"Well, Van Helmont was in just your position. He could not know anything
+about the cause of this diminution, because he was ignorant of the
+composition of the air, which was not discovered until the next century
+by the celebrated French chemist Lavoisier. Now, this is how Lavoisier
+arrived at this important discovery. In the first place, he knew that
+metals, when they are calcined,--that is to say, when they are exposed
+to the action of fire,--increase in weight. This fact had been remarked
+before his time by Dr. Jehan Rey, under the following circumstances: A
+druggist named Brun came one day to consult the doctor. Rey asked to be
+allowed to feel his pulse.
+
+"'But I am not sick,' cried the druggist.
+
+"'Then what are you doing here?' said the doctor.
+
+"'I come to consult you.'
+
+"'Then you must be sick.'
+
+"'Not at all. I come to consult you not for sickness, but in regard to
+an extraordinary thing which occurred in my laboratory.'
+
+"'What was it?' asked Rey, beginning to be interested.
+
+"'I had to calcine two pounds six ounces of tin. I weighed it carefully
+and then calcined it, and after the operation I weighed it again by
+chance, and what was my astonishment to find two pounds and thirteen
+ounces! Whence come these extra seven ounces? That is what I could not
+explain to myself, and that is why I came to consult you.'
+
+"Rey tried the same experiment again and again, and finally concluded
+that the increase of weight came from combination with some part of the
+air.
+
+"It is probable that this explanation did not satisfy the druggist; and
+yet the doctor was right. The increase came from the combination of the
+metal with that part of the air which Lavoisier called oxygen. That
+great chemist, after long study, declared that air was not a simple
+body, but that it was a composite formed of two bodies, of two
+gases,--oxygen and nitrogen. This opinion, running counter as it did to
+all preconceived ideas, raised a storm around the head of the learned
+man. He was looked upon as a fool, as an imbecile, as an ignoramus. That
+is the usual way.
+
+"Lavoisier resolved to show to the unbelievers the two bodies whose
+existence he had announced. In the experiment of increasing the weight
+of metals during calcination, an experiment which has been often
+repeated since Jehan Rey's time, either tin or lead had always been
+used. Now, these metals, during calcination, absorb a good deal of
+oxygen from the air, but, once they have absorbed it, they do not give
+it up again. Lavoisier abandoned tin and lead, and made use of a liquid
+metal called mercury. Mercury possesses not only the property of
+combining with the oxygen of the air when it is heated, but also that of
+giving back this oxygen as soon as the boiling-point is passed. The
+chemist put mercury in a glass retort whose neck was very long and bent
+over twice. The retort was placed upon an oven in such a way that the
+bent end of the neck opened into the top of the globe full of air,
+placed in a tube also full of mercury. By means of a bent tube, a little
+air had been sucked out of the globe in such a way that the mercury in
+the tube, finding the pressure diminished, had risen a slight distance
+in the globe. In this manner the height of the mercury in the globe was
+very readily seen. The level of the mercury in the globe was noted
+exactly, as well as the temperature and the pressure. Everything being
+now ready for the experiment, Lavoisier heated the mercury in the retort
+to the boiling-point, and kept it on the fire for twelve days. The
+mercury became covered with red pellicles, whose number increased
+towards the seventh and eighth days; at the end of the twelfth day, as
+the pellicles did not increase, Lavoisier discontinued the heat. Then he
+found out that the mercury had risen in the globe much higher than
+before he had begun the experiment, which indicated that the air
+contained in the globe had diminished. The air which remained in the
+globe had become a gas which was unfit either for combustion or for
+respiration; in fact, it was nitrogen. But the air which had
+disappeared from the globe, where had it gone to? What had become of
+it?"
+
+"Yes," said Miette, "it is like the air of our globe just now. Where has
+it gone?"
+
+"Wait a moment. Let us confine ourselves to Lavoisier's experiment."
+
+"We are listening."
+
+"Well, Lavoisier decided that the air which had disappeared could not
+have escaped from the globe, because that was closed on all sides. He
+examined the mercury. It seemed in very much the same state. What
+difference was there? None, excepting the red pellicles. Then it was in
+the pellicles that he must seek for the air which had disappeared. So
+the red pellicles were taken up and heated in a little retort, furnished
+with a tube which could gather the gas; under the action of heat the
+pellicles were decomposed. Lavoisier obtained mercury and a gas. The
+quantity of gas which he obtained represented the exact difference
+between the original bulk of the air in the globe and the bulk of the
+gas which the globe held at the end of the experiment. Therefore
+Lavoisier had not been deceived. The air which had disappeared from the
+globe had been found. This gas restored from the red pellicles was much
+better fitted than the air of the atmosphere for combustion and
+respiration. When a candle was placed in it, it burned with a dazzling
+light. A piece of charcoal, instead of consuming quietly, as in ordinary
+air, burned with a flame and with a sort of crackling sound, and with a
+light so strong that the eye could hardly bear it. That gas was oxygen."
+
+"And so the doubters were convinced," said Miette.
+
+"Or at least they ought to have been," added Monsieur Dalize,
+philosophically.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+WHY WATER PUTS OUT FIRE.
+
+
+"You have never seen oxygen any more than you have seen air," continued
+Monsieur Roger. "You have never seen it, and you never will see it with
+your eyes,--for those organs are very imperfect. I need not therefore
+say oxygen is a colorless gas; and yet I will say it to you by force of
+habit. All books of chemistry begin in this way. Besides this, it is
+without smell and without taste. Oxygen is extremely well fitted for
+combustion. A half-extinguished candle--that is, one whose wick is still
+burning but without flame--will relight instantly if placed in a globe
+full of oxygen. Almost all the metals, except the precious metals, such
+as gold, silver, and platinum, burn, or oxydize more or less rapidly,
+when they are put in contact with oxygen; for, besides those lively
+combustions, in which metals, or other materials, become hot and are
+maintained in a state of incandescence, there are other kinds of burning
+which may be called slow combustions. You have often had under your
+eyes, without knowing it, examples of these slow combustions. For
+example, you have seen bits of iron left in the air, or in the water,
+and covered with a dark-red or light-red matter."
+
+"That is rust," said Miette.
+
+"Yes, that is what they call rust; and this rust is nothing less than
+the product of the combustion of the iron. The oxygen which is found in
+the air, or the water, has come in contact with the bit of iron and has
+made it burn. It is a slow combustion, without flames, but it
+nevertheless releases some heat. Verdigris, in some of its forms, is
+nothing less than the product of the combustion----"
+
+"Of copper," interrupted Miette again.
+
+"Miette has said it. These metals burn when they come in contact with
+the oxygen of the air,--or, in the language of science, they are
+oxydized; and this oxydation is simple combustion. Therefore, oxygen is
+the principal agent in combustion. The process which we call burning is
+due to the oxygen uniting itself to some combustible body. There is no
+doubt on that subject, for it has been found that the weight of the
+products of combustion is equal to the sum of the weight of the body
+which burns and that of the oxygen which combines with it. In the
+experiment which we have made, if the oxygen has diminished in the
+globe, if it seems to have disappeared, it is because it has united
+itself and combined with the carbon of the candle to form the flame. In
+the same way in Lavoisier's experiment it had combined itself with the
+mercury to form the red pellicles. The candle had gone out when all the
+oxygen in the globe had been absorbed; the red pellicles had ceased to
+form when they found no more oxygen. In this way Lavoisier discovered
+that the air was formed of a mixture of two gases: the first was oxygen,
+of which we have just spoken; the second was nitrogen. The nitrogen,
+which is also a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, possesses some
+qualities that are precisely contrary to those of oxygen. Oxygen is the
+agent of combustion. Nitrogen extinguishes bodies in combustion. Oxygen
+is a gas indispensable to our existence, with which our lungs breathe,
+and which revives our being. The nitrogen, on the contrary, contains no
+properties that are directly useful to the body. Animals placed in a
+globe full of nitrogen perish of asphyxia. In other words, they drown in
+the gas, or are smothered by it. I suppose you will ask me what is the
+use of this gas, and why it enters into the composition of the air? You
+will ask it with all the more curiosity when you know that the air
+contains four times as much nitrogen as oxygen; to be exact, a hundred
+cubic feet of air contains seventy-nine cubic feet of nitrogen and
+twenty-one cubic feet of oxygen. Now, the important part that nitrogen
+plays is to moderate the action of the oxygen in respiration. You may
+compare this nitrogen mixed with oxygen to the water which you put in a
+glass of wine to temper it. Nitrogen possesses also another property
+which is more general: it is one of the essential elements in a certain
+number of mineral and vegetable substances and the larger portion of
+animal substances. There are certain compounds containing nitrogen which
+are indispensable to our food. An animal nourished entirely on food
+which is destitute of nitrogen would become weak and would soon die."
+
+"Excuse me, Monsieur Roger," said Albert Dalize: "how can nitrogen enter
+into our food?"
+
+"That is a very good question," added Miette, laughing; "surely you
+cannot eat nitrogen and you cannot eat gas."
+
+"The question is indeed a very sensible one," answered Monsieur Roger;
+"but this is how nitrogen enters into our food. We are carnivorous, are
+we not? we eat meat and flesh of animals. And what flesh do we chiefly
+eat? The flesh of sheep and of cattle. Sheep and cattle are herbivorous:
+they feed on herbs, on vegetables. Now, vegetables contain nitrogen.
+They have taken this nitrogen, either directly or indirectly, from the
+atmosphere and have fixed it in their tissues. Herbivorous animals, in
+eating vegetables, eat nitrogen, and we, who are carnivorous, we also
+eat nitrogen, since we eat the herbivorous animals. We also eat
+vegetable food, many kinds of which contain more or less nitrogen. Do
+you understand?"
+
+"Yes, I understand," said Miette.
+
+"There is nobody living who really understands this matter very well,
+for it is an extremely obscure, though very important, subject," replied
+Monsieur Roger. "But, to resume our explanation. Besides oxygen and
+nitrogen, there is also in the air a little carbonic acid and vapor. The
+carbonic acid will bring us back to the point from which we
+started,--the phenomenon of breathing. Carbonic acid is a gas formed by
+oxygen and carbon. The carbon is a body which is found under a large
+variety of forms. It has two or more varieties,--it is either pure or
+mixed with impurities. Its varieties can be united in two groups. The
+first group comprises the diamond and graphite, or plumbago, which are
+natural carbon. The second group comprises coal, charcoal, and the soot
+of a chimney, which we may call, for convenience, artificial carbon.
+When oxygen finds itself in contact with carbonaceous matter,--that is
+to say, with matter that contains carbon,--and when the surrounding
+temperature has reached the proper degree of heat, carbonic acid begins
+to be formed. In the oven and the furnace, coal and charcoal mingle with
+the oxygen of the air and give the necessary heat; but it is first
+necessary that by the aid of a match, paper, and kindling-wood you
+should have furnished the temperature at which oxygen can join with the
+carbon in order to burn it. That is what we may call an active or a
+live combustion; but there can also be a slow combustion of carbon,--a
+combustion without flame, and still giving out heat. It is this
+combustion which goes on in our body by means of respiration."
+
+"Ah, now we have come around to it!" cried Miette. "That is the very
+thing I was inquiring about."
+
+"Well, now that we have come around to it," answered Monsieur Roger,
+"tell me what I began to say to you on the subject of respiration."
+
+"That is not very difficult," answered Miette, in her quiet manner. "You
+told us that we swallowed oxygen and gave out carbonic acid; and you
+also said, 'Whence comes this carbonic acid? From combustion.' That is
+why I said, just now, 'We have come around to it.'"
+
+"Very good,--very good, indeed, only we do not _swallow_ oxygen, but we
+_inhale_ it," said Monsieur Dalize, charmed with the cleverness of his
+little girl.
+
+"What, then, is the cause of this production of carbonic acid?"
+continued Monsieur Roger. "You don't know? Well, I am going to tell you.
+The oxygen of the air which we breathe arrives into our lungs and finds
+itself in contact with the carbon in the black or venous blood. The
+carbon contained here joins with the oxygen, and forms the carbonic acid
+which we breathe out. This is a real, a slow combustion which takes
+place not only in our lungs,--as I said at first, in order not to make
+the explanation too difficult,--but also in all the different portions
+of our body. The air composed of oxygen and nitrogen--for the nitrogen
+enters naturally with the oxygen--penetrates into the pulmonary cells,
+spreads itself through the blood, and is borne through the numberless
+little capillary vessels. It is in these little vessels that combustion
+takes place,--that is to say, that the oxygen unites with the carbon and
+that carbonic acid is formed. This carbonic acid circulates, dissolved
+in the blood, until it can escape out of it. It is in the lungs that it
+finds liberty. When it arrives there it escapes from the blood, is
+exhaled, and is at once replaced by the new oxygen and the new nitrogen
+which arrive from outside. The nitrogen absorbed in aspiration at the
+same time as the oxygen is found to be of very much the same quantity
+when it goes out. There has therefore been no appreciable absorption of
+nitrogen. Now, this slow combustion causes the heat of our body; in
+fact, what is called the animal-heat is due to the caloric set free at
+the moment when the oxygen is converted into carbonic acid, in the same
+way as in all combustion of carbon. In conclusion, I will remind you
+that our digestion is exercised on two sorts of food,--nitrogenous food
+and carbonaceous food. Nitrogenous food--like fibrin, which is the chief
+substance in flesh; albumen, which is the principal substance of the
+egg; caseine, the principal substance of milk; legumine, of peas and
+beans--is assimilated in our organs, which they regenerate, which they
+rebuild continually. Carbonaceous foods--like the starch of the potato,
+of sugar, alcohol, oils, and the fat of animals--do not assimilate; they
+do not increase at all the substance of our muscles or the solidity of
+our bones. It is they which are burned and which aid in burning those
+waste materials of the venous blood of which I have already spoken.
+Still, many starchy foods do contain some nutritive principles, but in
+very small quantity. You will understand how little when you know that
+you would have to eat about fifteen pounds of potatoes to give your body
+the force that would be given it by a single pound of beef."
+
+"Oh," said Miette, "I don't like beef; but fifteen pounds of
+potatoes,--I would care still less to eat so much at once."
+
+"All the less that they would fatten you perceptibly," replied Monsieur
+Roger; "in fact, it is the carbonaceous foods which fatten. If they are
+introduced into the body in too great a quantity, they do not find
+enough oxygen to burn them, and they are deposited in the adipose or
+fatty tissue, where they will be useless and often harmful. You see how
+indispensable oxygen is to human life, and you now understand that if
+respiration does not go on with regularity, if the oxygen of your room
+should become exhausted, if the lungs were filled with carbonic acid
+produced by the combustion of fuel outside the body, there would follow
+at first a great deal of difficulty in breathing, then fainting, torpor,
+and, finally, asphyxia."
+
+These last words, pronounced by Monsieur Roger with much emotion,
+brought before them a remembrance so recent and so terrible that all
+remained silent and thoughtful. It was Miss Miette who first broke the
+spell by asking a new question of her friend Roger. Asphyxia had
+recalled to her the fire. Then she had thought of the manner of
+extinguishing fire, and she said, all of a sudden, her idea translating
+itself upon her lips almost without consciousness,--
+
+"Why does water extinguish fire?"
+
+Monsieur Roger, drawn out of his thoughts by this question, raised his
+head, looked at Miette, and said to her,--
+
+"In the first place, do you know what water is?"
+
+"No; but you were going to tell me."
+
+"All right. The celebrated Lavoisier, after having shown that air is not
+a simple body, but that it is composed of two gases, next turned his
+attention to the study of water, which was also, up to that time,
+considered to be an element; that is, a simple body. He studied it so
+skilfully that he succeeded in showing that water was formed by the
+combination of two gases."
+
+"Of two gases!--water?" cried Miette.
+
+"Certainly, of two gases. One of these gases is oxygen, which we have
+already spoken of, and the other is hydrogen."
+
+"Which we are going to speak of," added Miette.
+
+"Of course," answered Monsieur Roger, "since you wish it. But it was not
+Lavoisier, however, who first discovered hydrogen. This gas had been
+discovered before his time by the chemists Paracelsus and Boyle, who had
+found out that in placing iron or zinc in contact with an acid called
+sulphuric acid, there was disengaged an air "like a breath." This air
+"like a breath" is what we now call hydrogen. Lavoisier, with the
+assistance of the chemist Meusnier, proved that it was this gas which in
+combining with oxygen formed water. In order to do this he blew a
+current of hydrogen into a retort filled with oxygen. As this hydrogen
+penetrated into the retort, he set fire to it by means of electric
+sparks. Two stop-cocks regulated the proper proportions of the oxygen
+and the hydrogen in the retort. When the combustion took place, they saw
+water form in drops upon the sides of the retort and unite at the
+bottom. Water was therefore the product of the combination of hydrogen
+with oxygen. The following anecdote is told in regard to this
+combination. A chemist of the last century, who was fond of flattery,
+was engaged to give some lessons to a young prince of the blood royal.
+When he came to explain the composition of water, he prepared before his
+scholar the necessary apparatus for making the combination of hydrogen
+and oxygen, and, at the moment when he was about to send the electric
+spark into the retort, he said, bowing his head,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"'If it please your Royal Highness, this hydrogen and oxygen are about
+to have the honor of combining before you.'
+
+"I don't know if the hydrogen and the oxygen were aware of the honor
+which was being done them; but certainly they combined with no more
+manners than if their spectator was an ordinary boy. Now, I may add, you
+must not confound combinations with mixtures; thus, air is a mixture of
+oxygen and nitrogen, while water is a combination of hydrogen and
+oxygen. This combination is a union of the molecules of the two gases
+which produces a composite body formed of new molecules. These new
+molecules are water. Now, this last word recalls to me Miette's
+question."
+
+"Yes," said the latter: "why does water put out fire?"
+
+"There are two reasons for this phenomenon," said Monsieur Roger: "the
+first is that water thrown upon the fire forms around the matter in
+combustion a thick cloud, or vapor, which prevents the air from reaching
+it. The wood, which was burning--that is to say, which was mingling with
+the oxygen of the air--finds its communication intercepted. The humid
+vapor has interposed between the carbon of the wood and the oxygen of
+the air; therefore, the combustion is forced to stop. Further, water
+falling upon the fire is transformed, as you very well know, into vapor,
+or steam. Now, this conversion into vapor necessitates the taking up of
+a certain quantity of heat. This heat is taken away from the body which
+is being burned, and that body is thus made much cooler; the combustion
+therefore becomes less active, and the fire is at last extinguished."
+
+"Very good," said Miette; "but still another question, and I will let
+you alone."
+
+"You promise?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, then, what is your last question?"
+
+"Why is a candle put out by blowing on it, and why do they light a fire
+by doing the same thing?"
+
+"In these two cases there are two very different actions," replied
+Monsieur Roger: "in the first there is a mechanical action, and in the
+second a chemical action. In blowing upon a candle the violence of the
+air which you send out of your mouth detaches a flame which holds on
+only to the wick. The burning particles of this wick are blown away, and
+consequently the combustion is stopped. But the case is very different
+when you blow with a bellows or with your mouth upon the fire in the
+stove. There the substance in combustion, whether wood or coal, is a
+mass large enough to resist the violence of the current of air you throw
+in, and it profits from the air which you send to it so abundantly, by
+taking the oxygen which it contains and burning up still more briskly.
+
+"Now, that is the answer to your last question; and I must beg you to
+remember your promise, and ask me no more hard questions to-night."
+
+"Yes, friend Roger," said Miette, "I will leave you alone; you may go to
+sleep."
+
+"And it will be a well-earned sleep," added Madame Dalize, with the
+assent of every one.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+PAUL OR GEORGE?
+
+
+At the end of this long talk every one rose. Monsieur and Madame Dalize,
+with Monsieur Roger and Albert, walked towards the château. Paul
+Solange, silent and motionless, followed them with his eyes. When
+Monsieur Roger reached the step, he turned and made a friendly gesture
+to Paul, who responded by a bow. His eyes, in resting on Monsieur Roger,
+had an affectionate, softened, and respectful look. Miette saw it, and
+was struck by it. She approached, passed her arm in Paul's, and said,
+softly,--
+
+"You love him very much,--Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul, with surprise.
+
+"You love him very, very much?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And he too loves you very well. I can see that. But do you love him as
+much as if he----?"
+
+And Miette paused, embarrassed a little, feeling that what she was going
+to say was very important; still, being certain that she was right, she
+continued:
+
+"As much as if he was--your papa?"
+
+Paul started.
+
+"Yes; you love him as much and perhaps--perhaps more," she cried, seeing
+Paul start.
+
+"Why do you say things like that to me?" murmured Paul, much moved.
+
+"Because--nothing."
+
+"Why do you think that I love Monsieur Roger in the manner that you have
+just said?"
+
+"Because----"
+
+"Because what?"
+
+"Well, because I look at my papa just as I see you looking at Monsieur
+Roger."
+
+Paul tried to hide his embarrassment, and replied,--
+
+"You are foolish."
+
+Then he looked up at Miette, who shook her head and smiled, as if to
+say that she was not foolish. An idea came to him.
+
+"Miette," said he, softly, "I am going to ask you something."
+
+"Ask it."
+
+"But you will tell it to no one?"
+
+"To no one."
+
+"Well, do you know why Monsieur Roger, at the fire at the farm, called
+me--called me George?"
+
+"Why, certainly, I know."
+
+"You know?" cried Paul.
+
+"Yes: he called you George because he thought suddenly that his child,
+his little George, whom he lost in a fire,--in a fire on shipboard----"
+
+Paul Solange listened, opening his eyes very wide.
+
+"Ah, that is true. You don't know anything about it. You were not here
+when Monsieur Roger told us this terrible thing."
+
+"No, I was not here; but you were here, Miette. Well, speak--tell me all
+about it."
+
+Then Miette repeated to Paul Monsieur Roger's story; she told him about
+the departure of Monsieur Roger, his wife, and their little George for
+America, their voyage on the ship, then the fire at sea. She told about
+the grief, the almost insane grief, which Monsieur Roger had felt when
+he saw himself separated from his wife and his son, who had been taken
+off in a boat, while he remained upon the steamer. Then she told Paul of
+the despair of Monsieur Roger when he saw that boat disappear and
+bear down with it to a watery grave those whom he loved.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"At that moment," continued Miette, "Monsieur Roger told us that he
+cried out 'George! George!' with a voice so loud, so terrified, that
+certainly his little boy must have heard."
+
+Miette stopped.
+
+"Why, what is the matter, Paul?" she cried: "are you sick?"
+
+For Paul Solange had suddenly become so pale that Miette was scared.
+
+"Not at all," said he; "not at all; but finish your story."
+
+"It is finished."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Poor Monsieur Roger has never again seen his wife or his little
+George--or at least he saw his wife, whose body had been cast up by the
+waves, but the body of the little boy remained at the bottom of the
+sea."
+
+After a silence, Miette added,--
+
+"You now understand how it is that the fire at the farm recalled to him
+at once the fire on the ship, and why, in his grief, in his fright to
+see you in so great a danger, he thought of his little boy, and cried
+'George!' You understand, don't you?"
+
+Paul remained an instant without answering; then, very gravely, with a
+pale face and wide open eyes, he said,--
+
+"I understand."
+
+Paul Solange did not sleep the night which followed the day on which he
+learned all these things. His brain was full of strange thoughts. He was
+calling up shadowy confused recollections. He sought to go back as far
+as possible to the first years of his childhood, but his memory was at
+fault. He suddenly found a dark corner where everything disappeared; he
+could go no farther; but now that he knew Monsieur Roger's story, he was
+certain, absolutely certain that he had answered to the name of George
+in the fire at the farm. It was that name, that name only, which had
+suddenly shaken off his torpor and given him the strength to awake; it
+was that name that had saved him. Feverishly searching in his memory, he
+said to himself that this name he had heard formerly pronounced with the
+same loud and terrified voice in some crisis, which must have been very
+terrible, but which he could not recall; and then, hesitating anxiously,
+feeling that he was making a fool of himself, he asked himself if it was
+during the fire on shipboard, of which Miette had spoken, that he had
+heard this name of George; and little by little, in the silence of the
+night, this conviction entered and fixed itself in his mind. Then he
+turned his thoughts upon the way that Monsieur Roger had treated him.
+Whence this sudden and great affection which Monsieur Roger had shown
+him? Why that sympathy which he knew to be profound and whose cause he
+could not explain, as he did not merit it a bit more than his friend
+Albert? Why had Monsieur Roger so bravely risked his life to save him?
+Why had his emotion been so great? Lastly, why this cry of "George?"
+
+And Paul Solange arrived at this logical conclusion,--
+
+"If Monsieur Roger loves me so much; if he gave me, at the terrible
+moment when I came near dying, the name of his son, it must be because I
+recalled to him his son; it must be because I resemble his little
+George. And what then?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+MY FATHER.
+
+
+When Paul at last fell into an uneasy sleep, the sun had been up for
+some hours. Monsieur Dalize and his friend Roger went out from the
+château.
+
+"Has the postman not been here yet?" said Monsieur Dalize to his
+servant.
+
+"No sir; he will not be here for an hour."
+
+"Very well; we will go to meet him."
+
+And in fact, in his haste, Monsieur Roger carried his friend off to meet
+the postman.
+
+But days had elapsed since Monsieur Dalize had, according to promise,
+written to the registrar of births, to ask him to forward a copy of the
+register of birth of Paul Solange, and no answer had yet arrived. This
+silence had astonished Monsieur Dalize and given a hope to Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+"There must be some reason, don't you see," he said, walking beside his
+friend. "Some important reason why the registrar has not yet answered
+your pressing letter."
+
+"A reason, an important reason," replied Monsieur Dalize; "the
+explanation may be that the registrar is away."
+
+"No; there is some other reason," answered Monsieur Roger with
+conviction.
+
+Half-way to the station they met the letter-carrier, who said,--
+
+"Monsieur Dalize, there are two letters for you."
+
+The first letter which Monsieur Dalize opened bore the address of the
+registrar of births. He rapidly read the few lines, then turned towards
+Roger.
+
+"You are right," said he; "there is a reason. Read."
+
+"I pray _you_ read it; I am too much excited," replied Roger.
+
+Monsieur Dalize read as follows:
+
+"=Sir=:
+
+  "The researches which I have made in my docket to find the
+  register of birth of Paul Solange must be my excuse for the delay.
+  We have not the register of birth which you ask for, but in its
+  place is a paper so important that I have not the right to part
+  with it; still, I shall be ready to place this paper under your eyes
+  when you come to Paris.
+
+                                         "Yours respectfully," etc.
+
+"I go," said Monsieur Dalize, consulting his watch; "I have just time to
+catch the train, and I shall return in time for dinner. Go back to the
+château and tell them that an important letter calls me to Paris."
+
+Monsieur Roger took the hand of his friend with a joy which he could not
+conceal, and said,--
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"I go to please you," answered Monsieur Dalize, not wishing that his
+friend should have hopes excited, for failure might leave him more
+unhappy than ever. "I am going to see this important paper, but I see no
+reason why it should show that Paul was not the son of Monsieur Solange.
+So keep calm; you will need all your calmness on my return."
+
+Before leaving, Monsieur Dalize opened the envelope of the second
+letter; as the first lines caught his eyes, an expression of sorrow and
+surprise came over his face.
+
+"That is very strange and very sad," said he.
+
+"What is it?" asked Roger.
+
+"It is strange that this letter speaks of Monsieur Solange, the father
+of Paul, and it is sad that it also brings me bad news."
+
+"Speak," said Roger, quickly.
+
+"This letter is from my successor in the banking house, and it says that
+Monsieur Solange, of Martinique, has suspended payment."
+
+"Has Monsieur Solange failed?" asked Roger.
+
+"The letter adds that they are awaiting fuller information from the mail
+that should arrive to-day. You see that my presence in Paris is doubly
+necessary. Come down to the station to meet me in the coupé at five
+o'clock, and come alone."
+
+The sudden departure of Monsieur Dalize did not very much astonish the
+people at the Château, but what did astonish them, and become a subject
+of remark for all, was the new expression on the face of Monsieur Roger.
+He seemed extremely moved, but his features showed hope and joy, which
+had chased away his usual sadness. Madame Dalize inquired what had
+happened, and Monsieur Roger told her the whole story.
+
+Monsieur Roger hoped, and he was even happier that day than ever to find
+himself near Paul, because the latter showed himself more affectionate
+than ever. Long before the appointed hour, Monsieur Roger was at the
+station, awaiting with impatience the return of Monsieur Dalize. At last
+the train came in sight, and soon Monsieur Dalize got out of the car.
+
+"Well?" said Roger, with a trembling voice, awaiting the yes or the no
+on which his happiness or his despair depended. Monsieur Dalize, without
+answering, led Roger away from the station; then, when they were in the
+coupé, which started at a brisk pace, Monsieur Dalize threw his arms
+around his friend, with these words:
+
+"Be happy, it is your son!"
+
+Roger's eyes filled with tears, great big tears, which he could not
+restrain, tears of joy succeeding to the many tears of sorrow which he
+had shed. At last he murmured,--
+
+"You have the proofs?"
+
+"I have two proofs, one of which comes in a very sad way."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"The confession of Monsieur Solange, who wrote to me on his death-bed."
+
+"Unhappy man!"
+
+"Unhappy, yes; but also guilty."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Well, read first a copy of the paper which took the place of the
+birth-register of Paul Solange."
+
+Through his tears, Monsieur Roger read as follows:
+
+"This 24th day of December, 1877, before me, Jean-Jacques Solange,
+French Consul of the Island of Saint-Christopher, in the English
+Antilles, appeared Jan Carit, captain of the Danish fishing vessel,
+'Jutland,' and Steffenz and Kield, who declared to him that on the 15th
+of December, 1877, finding themselves near the Island of Eleuthera, in
+the archipelago of the Bahamas, they perceived a raft, from which they
+took a child of the masculine sex, who seemed to be between two and
+three years old. We have given him the name of Pierre Paul. In witness
+whereof, the above-named parties have hereunto set their hands and
+seals."
+
+When he had finished, Roger cried,--
+
+"There is no doubt,--the date, the place, everything is proof."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Which would not be sufficient, if I had not this."
+
+And Monsieur Dalize gave to his friend Solange's letter. In this letter
+Monsieur Solange announced his ruin, and his approaching death from
+heart-disease; the doctors had given him up, and he begged Monsieur
+Dalize to tell Paul that he was not his son. Monsieur Solange declared
+that he was the French Consul at the Island of Saint Christopher when
+some Danish fishermen, from the Island of Saint Thomas, brought him the
+child, which they had found in the sea. He and his wife had no children.
+They determined to adopt the child which had been found. Monsieur
+Solange confessed that he had been wanting in his duty in not making the
+necessary search. He excused himself sadly by saying that he was
+convinced of the death of the parents of the child, and he begged for
+pardon, as he had wished to bring this child up and make him happy. In
+finishing, he said that the linen of the child was marked "G. L. M.,"
+and that the boy could pronounce the French words "maman" and "papa."
+
+"I pardon him," said, gravely and solemnly, Monsieur Roger.
+
+The coupé had entered the park, and the two gentlemen alighted before
+the château, where the family awaited them. Monsieur Dalize advanced
+towards him who had hitherto been called Paul Solange, and who really
+was George La Morlière.
+
+"My dear child," said he, "I have news for you,--some very sad news and
+some very happy news."
+
+Anxious, excited, George came forward. Monsieur Dalize continued:
+
+"You have lost him who was your adopted father,--Monsieur Solange."
+
+"Monsieur Solange is dead!" cried George, bowing his head, overwhelmed
+at the news.
+
+"But," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, "you have found your real
+father."
+
+At these words George raised his head again; his eyes went straight
+towards those of Monsieur Roger. He ran forward and threw himself in the
+arms which were opened to him, repeating, between his tears,--
+
+"My father! my father!"
+
+And Miss Miette, who wept, as all the rest did, at this moving
+spectacle, said, in the midst of her sobs,--
+
+"I knew it; I knew it; I knew it was his papa!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+body {
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: In Search of a Son
+
+Author: William Shepard Walsh
+
+Release Date: May 22, 2011 [EBook #36189]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN SEARCH OF A SON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephanie Kovalchik and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_1_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_1_low.jpg" alt="Illustration"/>
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h1>In Search of a Son.</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3><br />
+
+<h3>UNCLE LAWRENCE,</h3>
+
+<h3>AUTHOR OF "YOUNG FOLKS' WHYS AND WHEREFORES," ETC.</h3><br />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <a href="images/illustration_2_high.jpg">
+    <img src="images/illustration_2_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+  </a>
+</div>
+
+<h3>PHILADELPHIA:</h3>
+
+<h3>J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.</h3>
+
+<h3>1890.</h3><br />
+
+
+
+<h4>Copyright, 1889, by J. B. Lippincott Company</h4>.
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<table summary="Contents">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">&nbsp;</td>
+
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER I.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Despatch</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER II.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Two Friends</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">18</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER III.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Roger</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">26</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER IV.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Roger's Story</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">32</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER V.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Fire at Sea</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">39</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER VI.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Miss Miette's Fortune</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER VII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Vacation</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">53</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER VIII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Drawing Lesson</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">59</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER IX.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Tower of Heurtebize</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">66</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER X.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Physical Science</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">75</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XI.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Smoke Which Falls</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">84</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">At the Centre of the Earth</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">92</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XIII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Why Lead is Heavier than Cork</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">99</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XIV.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Air-Pump</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">104</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XV.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Drops of Rain and Hammer of Water</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">114</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XVI.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Amusing Physics</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">119</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XVII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Why the Moon does not Fall</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">127</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XVIII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Mysterious Resemblance</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">138</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XIX.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Fixed Idea</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">146</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XX.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Fire</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">152</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXI.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Saved</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">161</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">George! George!</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">167</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXIII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Proof?</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">178</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXIV.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Air and the Lungs</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">184</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXV.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Oxygen</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">190</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXVI.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Why Water Puts out Fire</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">200</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXVII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Paul or George?</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">214</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">CHAPTER XXVIII.</td>
+
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">My Father</span></td>
+<td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">222</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<br/>
+<br/>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>IN SEARCH OF A SON.</h2>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br/>
+<span class="sub">THE DESPATCH.</span></h2>
+
+
+<p>In the great silence of the
+fields a far-off clock struck seven.
+The sun, an August sun, had been up for some time, lighting
+up and warming the left wing of the old French château. The
+tall old chestnut-trees of the park threw the greater part of the right
+wing into the shade, and in this pleasant shade was placed a bench
+of green wood, chairs, and a stone table.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_3_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_3_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The door of the château opened, and a gentleman lightly
+descended the threshold. He was in his slippers and dressing-robe,
+and under the dressing-robe you could see his night-gown.
+After having thrown a satisfied look upon the beauty of nature, he
+approached the green seat, and seated himself before the stone
+table. An old servant came up and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What will you take this morning, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>And as the gentleman, who did not seem to be hungry, was
+thinking what he wanted, the servant added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Coffee, soup, tea?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the gentleman; "give me a little vermouth and
+seltzer water."</p>
+
+<p>The servant retired, and soon returned with a tray containing
+the order. The gentleman poured out a little vermouth and seltzer
+water, then rolled a cigarette, lighted it, and, leaning back upon the
+rounded seat of the green bench, looked with pleasure at the lovely
+scene around him. On the left, in a small lake framed in the green
+lawn, was reflected one wing of the old château, as in a mirror.
+The bricks, whose colors were lighted up by the sun, seemed to be
+burning in the midst of the water. The large lawn began at the
+end of a gravelled walk, and seemed to be without limit, for the
+park merged into cultivated ground, and verdant hills rose over
+hills. There was not a cloud in the sky.</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman, after gazing for some minutes around him,
+got up and opened the door of the château. He called out,
+"Peter!" in a subdued voice, fearing, no doubt, to waken some
+sleeper.</p>
+
+<p>The servant ran out at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Peter," said the gentleman, "have the papers come?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; they have not yet come. That surprises me. If you
+wish, sir, I will go and meet the postman."</p>
+
+<p>And Peter was soon lost to sight in a little shady alley which
+descended into the high-road. In a few moments he reappeared,
+followed by a man.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said he, "I did not meet the letter-carrier; but here is a
+man with a telegraphic despatch."</p>
+
+<p>The man advanced, and, feeling in a bag suspended at his side,
+he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Dalize, I believe?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, here is a telegram for you which arrived at Sens
+last night."</p>
+
+<p>"A telegram?" said Monsieur Dalize, knitting his brows, his
+eyes showing that he was slightly surprised, and almost displeased,
+as if he had learned that unexpected news was more often bad
+news than good. Nevertheless, he took the paper, unfolded it,
+and looked at once at the signature.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, from Roger," he said to himself.</p>
+
+<p>And then he began to read the few lines of the telegram. As
+he read, his face brightened, surprise followed uneasiness, and
+then a great joy took the place of discontent. He said to the
+man,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You can carry back an answer, can you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Peter, bring me pen and ink at once."</p>
+
+<p>Peter brought pen, ink, and paper, and Monsieur Dalize wrote
+his telegram. He gave it to the man, and, feeling through his
+pockets, pulled out a louis.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, my good fellow," said he: "that will pay for the telegram
+and will pay you for your trouble."</p>
+
+<p>The man looked at the coin in the hollow of his hand in an
+embarrassed way, fearing that he had not exactly understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, now,&mdash;run," said Monsieur Dalize; "good news such
+as you have brought me cannot be paid for too dearly; only
+hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes, sir, I will hurry," said the man; "and thank you very
+much, thank you very much."</p>
+
+<p>And, in leaving, he said to himself, as he squeezed the money
+in his hand,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I should be very glad to carry to him every day good news
+at such a price as that."</p>
+
+<p>When he was alone, Monsieur Dalize reread the welcome despatch.
+Then he turned around, and looked towards a window
+on the second floor of the château, whose blinds were not yet
+opened. From this window his looks travelled back to the telegram,
+which seemed to rejoice his heart and to give him cause for
+thought. He was disturbed in his reverie by the noise of two blinds
+opening against the wall. He rose hastily, and could not withhold
+the exclamation,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"At last!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my friend," said the voice of a lady, in good-natured tones.
+"Are you reproaching me for waking up too late?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is no reproach at all, my dear wife," said Monsieur Dalize,
+"as you were not well yesterday evening."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but this morning I am entirely well," said Madame Dalize,
+resting her elbows on the sill of the window.</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better," cried Mr. Dalize, joyfully, "and again
+so much the better."</p>
+
+<p>"What light-heartedness!" said Madame Dalize, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"That is because I am happy, do you know, very happy."</p>
+
+<p>"And the cause of this joy?"</p>
+
+<p>"It all lies in this little bit of paper," answered Monsieur Dalize,
+pointing to the telegram towards the window.</p>
+
+<p>"And what does this paper say?"</p>
+
+<p>"It says,&mdash;now listen,&mdash;it says that my old friend, my best friend,
+has returned to France, and that in a few hours he will be here
+with us."</p>
+
+<p>Madame Dalize was silent for an instant, then, suddenly remembering,
+she said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Roger,&mdash;are you speaking of Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my friend," said Madame Dalize, "now I understand
+the joy you expressed." Then she added, as she closed the window,
+"I will dress myself and be down in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had the window of Madame Dalize's room closed than
+a little girl of some ten years, with a bright and pretty face
+surrounded by black curly hair, came in sight from behind the
+château. As she caught sight of Monsieur Dalize, she ran towards
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, papa," she said, throwing herself into his open
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, taking the
+little girl upon his knees and kissing her over and over again.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, papa," said the child, "you seem very happy this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"And you have noticed that too, Miette?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course, papa; any one can see that in your face."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am very happy."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mariette Dalize, who was familiarly called Miette, for short,
+looked at her father without saying anything, awaiting an explanation.
+Monsieur Dalize understood her silence.</p>
+
+<p>"You want to know what it is that makes me so happy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, it is because I am going to-day to see one of my
+friends,&mdash;my oldest friend, my most faithful friend,&mdash;whom I have
+not seen for ten long years."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_4_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_4_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize stopped for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed," he continued, "you cannot understand what I feel,
+my dear little Miette."</p>
+
+<p>"And why not, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you do not know the man of whom I speak."</p>
+
+<p>Miette looked at her father, and said, in a serious tone,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You say that I don't know your best friend. Come! is it not
+Monsieur Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>It was now the father's turn to look at his child, and, with
+pleased surprise, he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What? You know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, papa, I have so often heard you talk to mamma of your
+friend Roger that I could not be mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true; you are right."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," continued Miss Miette, "it is Mr. Roger who is going
+to arrive here?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is he," said Monsieur Dalize, joyously.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_5_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_5_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>But Miss Miette did not share her
+father's joy. She was silent for a moment,
+as if seeking to remember something
+very important, then she lowered her
+eyes, and murmured, sadly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The poor gentleman."</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br /><span class="sub">TWO FRIENDS.</span></h2>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_6_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_6_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The château of Sainte-Gemme, which was some miles from the
+village of Sens, had belonged to Monsieur Dalize for some years.
+It was in this old château, which had often been restored, but which
+still preserved its dignified appearance, that Monsieur Dalize and
+his family had come to pass the summer.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize had become the owner of the property of Sainte-Gemme
+on his retirement from business. He came out at the
+beginning of every May, and did not return to Paris until November.
+During August and September the family was complete, for then
+it included Albert Dalize, who was on vacation from college. With
+his wife and his children, Albert and Mariette, Monsieur Dalize
+was happy, but sometimes there was a cloud upon this happiness.
+The absence of a friend with whom Monsieur Dalize had been
+brought up, and the terrible sorrows which this friend had experienced,
+cast an occasional gloom over the heart of the owner of
+Sainte-Gemme. This friend was called Roger La Morlière. In
+the Dalize family he was called simply Roger. He was a distinguished
+chemist. At the beginning of his life he had been employed
+by a manufacturer of chemicals in Saint-Denis, and the close
+neighborhood to Paris enabled him frequently to see his friend
+Dalize, who had succeeded his father in a banking-house. Later,
+some flattering offers had drawn him off to Northern France, to
+the town of Lille. In this city Roger had found a charming young
+girl, whom he loved and whose hand he asked in marriage. Monsieur
+Dalize was one of the witnesses to this marriage, which seemed
+to begin most happily, although neither party was wealthy. Monsieur
+Dalize had already been married at this time, and husband and wife
+had gone to Lille to be present at the union of their friend Roger.
+Then a terrible catastrophe had occurred. Roger had left France
+and gone to America. Ten years had now passed. The two
+friends wrote each other frequently. Monsieur Dalize's letters were
+full of kindly counsels, of encouragement, of consolation. Roger's,
+though they were affectionate, showed that he was tired of life,
+that his heart was in despair.</p>
+
+<p>Still, Monsieur Dalize, in receiving the telegram which announced
+the return of this well-beloved friend, had only thought of the joy
+of seeing him again. The idea that this friend, whom he had known
+once so happy, would return to him broken by grief had not at first
+presented itself to his mind. Now he began to reflect. An overwhelming
+sorrow had fallen upon the man, and for ten years he
+had shrouded himself in the remembrance of this sorrow. What
+great changes must he have gone through! how different he would
+look from the Roger he had known!</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize thought over these things, full of anxiety, his
+eyes fixed upon the shaded alley in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>Miette had softly slipped down from her father's knees, and,
+seating herself by his side upon the bench, she remained silent,
+knowing that she had better say nothing at such a time.</p>
+
+<p>Light steps crunched the gravel, and Madame Dalize approached.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette had seen her mother coming, but Monsieur Dalize
+had seen nothing and heard nothing.</p>
+
+<p>In great astonishment Madame Dalize asked, addressing herself
+rather to her daughter than to her husband,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette made a slight motion, as if to say that she had
+better not answer; but this time Monsieur Dalize had heard.</p>
+
+<p>He lifted sad eyes to his wife's face.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_7_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_7_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now, where has all the joy of the morning fled, my friend?"
+asked Madame Dalize. "And why this sudden sadness?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because this child"&mdash;and Monsieur Dalize passed his hand
+through his daughter's thick curls&mdash;"has reminded me of the
+sorrows of Roger."</p>
+
+<p>"Miette?" demanded Madame Dalize. "What has she said
+to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"She simply said, when I spoke to her of Roger, 'The poor
+gentleman.' And she was right,&mdash;the poor gentleman, poor
+Roger."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly," answered Madame Dalize; "but ten years have
+passed since that terrible day, and time heals many wounds."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true; but I know Roger, and I know that he has
+forgotten nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, forgetfulness would not be easy to him over
+there, in that long, solitary exile; but once he has returned here
+to us, near his family, his wounds will have a chance to heal;
+and, in any case," added Madame Dalize, taking her husband's
+hand, "he will have at hand two doctors who are profoundly
+devoted."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my dear wife, you are right; and if he can be cured, we
+will know how to cure him."</p>
+
+<p>Madame Dalize took the telegram from her husband's hands,
+and read this:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>"Monsieur Dalize</i>, Château de Sainte-Gemme, at Sens:</p>
+
+<p class="indent"><i>Friend</i>,&mdash;I am on my way home. Learn at Paris that you
+are at Sainte-Gemme. May I come there at once?"</p>
+
+
+<p class="right"><i>"Roger."</i></p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>"And you answered him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I answered, 'We are awaiting you with the utmost impatience.
+Take the first train.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Will that first train be the eleven-o'clock train?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I think that Roger will not be able to take the express.
+The man with the telegram will not have reached Sens soon enough,
+even if he hurried, as he promised he would. Then, the time taken
+to send the despatch, to receive it in Paris, and to take it to Roger's
+address would make it more than eleven. So our friend will have
+to take the next train; and you cannot count upon his being here
+before five o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" cried Miss Miette, in a disappointed tone.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, my child?" asked Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I think&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, papa," Miss Miette at last said, "I think that the railroads
+and the telegrams are far too slow."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize could not suppress a smile at hearing this
+exclamation. He turned to his wife, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"See, how hurried is this younger generation. They think
+that steam and electricity are too slow."</p>
+
+<p>And, turning around to his daughter, he continued,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What would you like to have?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why," answered the girl, "I would like to have Monsieur
+Roger here at once."</p>
+
+<p>Her wish was to be fulfilled sooner than she herself could foresee.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_8_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_8_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br /><span class="sub">MONSIEUR ROGER.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_9_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_9_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<p>Monsieur and Madame Dalize went back into the château, and
+soon reappeared in walking-costumes. Miette, who was playing
+in the shadows of the great chestnut-trees, looked up in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You are going out walking without me?" said she.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my child," answered Madame Dalize, "we are not going
+out to take a walk at all; but we have to go and make our
+excuses to Monsieur and Madame Sylvestre at the farm, because
+we shall not be able to dine with them this evening, as we had
+agreed."</p>
+
+<p>"Take me with you," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"No; the road is too long and too fatiguing for your little
+legs."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going on foot?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said Monsieur Dalize. "We must keep the horses
+fresh to send them down to meet Roger at the station."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette could not help respecting so good a reason, and
+she resisted no longer.</p>
+
+<p>When left alone, she began seriously to wonder what she should
+do during the absence of her parents, which would certainly last
+over an hour. An idea came to her. She went into the château,
+passed into the drawing-room, took down a large album of photographs
+which was on the table, and carried it into her room. She
+did not have to search long. On the first page was the portrait
+of her mother, on the next was that of herself, Miette, and that of
+her brother Albert. The third page contained two portraits of men.
+One of these portraits was that of her father, the other was evidently
+the one that she was in search of, for she looked at it attentively.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a long time ago," she said to herself, "that this photograph
+was made,&mdash;ten years ago; but I am sure that I shall
+recognize Monsieur Roger all the same when he returns."</p>
+
+<p>At this very moment Miette heard the sound of a carriage some
+distance off. Surely the carriage was driving through the park.
+She listened with all her ears. Soon the gravelled road leading
+up to the château was crunched under the wheels of the carriage.
+Miette then saw an old-fashioned cab, which evidently had been
+hired at some hotel in Sens. The cab stopped before the threshold.
+Miette could not see so far from her window. She left the album
+upon her table, and ran down-stairs, full of curiosity. In the vestibule
+she met old Peter, and asked him who it was.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a gentleman whom I don't know," said Peter.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"I asked him into the parlor."</p>
+
+<p>Miette approached lightly on tiptoe to the door of the parlor,
+which was open, wishing to see without being seen. She expected
+she would find in this visitor some country neighbor. The gentleman
+was standing, looking out of the glass windows.</p>
+
+<p>From where she was Miette could see his profile. She made
+a gesture, as if to say, "I don't know him;" and she was going
+to withdraw as slowly as possible, with her curiosity unsatisfied,
+when the gentleman turned around. Miette now saw him directly
+in front of her in the full light. His beard and his hair were gray,
+his forehead was lightly wrinkled on the temples, a sombre expression
+saddened his features. His dress was elegant. He walked a
+few steps in the parlor, coming towards the door, but he had not
+yet seen Miette. In her great surprise she had quickly drawn
+herself back, but she still followed the visitor with her eyes. At
+first she had doubted now she was sure; she could not be mistaken.
+When the gentleman had reached the middle of the parlor, Miette
+could contain herself no longer. She showed herself in the doorway
+and advanced towards the visitor. He stopped, surprised at
+this pretty apparition. Miette came up to him and looked him in
+the eyes. Then, entirely convinced, holding out her arms towards
+the visitor, she said, softly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Roger!"</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman in his turn looked with surprise at the pretty
+little girl who had saluted him by name. He cast a glance towards
+the door, and, seeing that she was alone, more surprised than ever,
+he looked at her long and silently.</p>
+
+<p>Miette, abashed by this scrutiny, drew back a little, and said,
+with hesitation,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me: you are surely Monsieur Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am indeed Monsieur Roger," said the visitor, at last,
+in a voice full of emotion. And, with a kindly smile, he added,
+"How did you come to recognize me, Miss Miette?"</p>
+
+<p>Hearing her own name pronounced in this unexpected manner,
+Miss Miette was struck dumb with astonishment. At the end of
+a minute, she stammered,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, sir, you know me, then, also?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my child; I have known and loved you for a long
+time."</p>
+
+<p>And Monsieur Roger caught Miette up in his arms and kissed
+her tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he continued, "I know you, my dear child. Your
+father has often spoken of you in his letters; and has he not sent
+me also several of your photographs when I asked for them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that is funny!" cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>But she suddenly felt that the word was not dignified enough.</p>
+
+<p>"That is very strange," she said: "for I, too, recognized you
+from your photograph; and it was only five minutes ago, at the
+very moment when you arrived, that I was looking at it, up-stairs
+in my room. Shall I go up and find the album?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger held her back.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my child," said he, "remain here by me, and tell me
+something about your father and your mother."</p>
+
+<p>Miette looked up at the clock.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa and mamma may return at any moment. They will talk
+to you themselves a great deal better than I can. All that I can
+tell you is that they are going to be very, very glad; but they did
+not expect you until the evening. How does it happen that you
+are here already?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I took the first train,&mdash;the 6.30."</p>
+
+<p>"But your telegram?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I sent a despatch last night on arriving at Paris, but I
+did not have the patience to wait for an answer. I departed,
+hoping they would receive me anyway with pleasure; and I already
+see that I was not mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Monsieur Roger," answered Miette, "you were not mistaken.
+You are going to be very happy here, very happy. There,
+now! I see papa and mamma returning."</p>
+
+<p>The door of the vestibule had just been opened.</p>
+
+<p>They could see Peter exchanging some words with his master
+and mistress. Then hurried steps were heard, and in a moment
+Monsieur Dalize was in the arms of his friend Roger. Miss Miette,
+who had taken her mamma by the arm, obliged her to bend down,
+and said in her ear,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I love him already, our friend Roger."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_10_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_10_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /><span class="sub">MONSIEUR ROGER'S STORY.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_11_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_11_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The evening had come, the evening of that happy day when
+the two friends, after ten years of absence, had come together
+again. Monsieur Roger had known from the first that he would
+find loving and faithful hearts just as he had left them. They
+were all sitting, after dinner, in a large vestibule, whose windows,
+this beautiful evening in autumn, opened out upon the sleeping
+park. For some moments the conversation had fallen into an
+embarrassing silence.  Every one looked at Monsieur Roger.
+They thought that he might speak, that he might recount the
+terrible event which had broken his life; but they did not like to
+ask him anything about it. Monsieur Roger was looking at the
+star-sprinkled sky, and seemed to be dreaming, but in his deeper
+self he had guessed the thoughts of his friends and understood he
+ought to speak. He passed his hand over his forehead to chase
+away a painful impression, and with a resolute, but low and soft
+voice, he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I see, my friends, my dear friends, I see that you expect from
+me the story of my sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur and Madame Dalize made a sight gesture of negation.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," continued Monsieur Roger, "I know very well that you
+do not wish it through idle curiosity, that you fear to reawaken my
+griefs; but to whom can I tell my story, if not to you? I owe it
+to you as a sacred debt, and, if I held my tongue, it seems to me
+a dark spot would come upon our friendship. You know what
+a lovely and charming wife I married. Her only fault&mdash;a fault only
+in the eyes of the world&mdash;was that she was poor. I had the same
+fault. When my son George came into the world I suddenly was
+filled with new ambitions. I wished, both for his sake and for his
+mother's, to amass wealth, and I worked feverishly and continuously
+in my laboratory. I had a problem before me, and at last I
+succeeded in solving it. I had discovered a new process for treating
+silver ores. Fear nothing: I am not going to enter into technical
+details; but it is necessary that I should explain to you the
+reason which made me"&mdash;here Monsieur paused, and then continued,
+with profound sadness&mdash;"which made <i>us</i> go to America. Silver
+ores in most of the mines of North America offer very complex combinations
+in the sulphur, bromide, chloride of lime, and iodine, which
+I found mixed up with the precious metal,&mdash;that is to say, with the
+silver. It is necessary to free the silver from all these various substances.
+Now, the known processes had not succeeded in freeing
+the silver in all its purity. There was always a certain quantity
+of the silver which remained alloyed with foreign matters, and that
+much silver was consequently lost. The processes which I had
+discovered made it possible to obtain the entire quantity of silver
+contained in the ore. Not a fraction of the precious metal escaped.
+An English company owning some silver-mines in Texas heard of
+my discovery, and made me an offer. I was to go to Texas for
+ten years. The enterprise was to be at my own risk, but they
+would give me ten per cent on all the ore that I saved. I felt
+certain to succeed. My wife, full of faith in me, urged me to
+accept. What were we risking? A modest situation in a chemical
+laboratory, which I should always be able to obtain again. Over
+there on the other side of the Atlantic there were millions in prospect;
+and if I did not succeed from the beginning, my wife, who
+drew and painted better than an amateur,&mdash;as well as most painters,
+indeed,&mdash;and who had excellent letters of recommendation, would
+give drawing-lessons in New Orleans, where the company had its
+head-quarters. We decided to go; but first we came to Paris. I
+wished to say good-by to you and to show you my son, my poor
+little George, of whom I was so proud, and whom you did not know.
+He was then two and one-half years old. My decision had been
+taken so suddenly that I could not announce it to you. When we
+arrived in Paris, we learned that you were in Nice. I wrote to
+you,&mdash;don't you remember?" said Monsieur Roger, turning to
+Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_12_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_12_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes, my friend; I have carefully kept that letter of farewell,
+full of hope and of enthusiasm."</p>
+
+<p>"We were going to embark from Liverpool on the steamer
+which would go directly to New Orleans. The steamer was called
+the Britannic."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped speaking, full of emotion at this recollection.
+At the end of a long silence he again took up the thread
+of his story.</p>
+
+<p>"The first days of the journey we had had bad weather. And
+I had passed them almost entirely in our state-room with my poor
+wife and my little boy, who were very sea-sick. On the tenth day
+(it was the 14th of December) the weather cleared up, and, notwithstanding
+a brisk wind from the north-east, we were on the deck
+after dinner. The night had come; the stars were already out,
+though every now and then hidden under clouds high up in the
+sky, which fled quickly out of sight. We were in the archipelago
+of Bahama, not far from Florida.</p>
+
+<p>"'One day more and we shall be in port,' I said to my wife
+and to George, pointing in the direction of New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"My wife, full of hope,&mdash;too full, alas! poor girl,&mdash;said to me,
+with a smile, as she pointed to George,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'And this fortune that we have come so far to find, but
+which we shall conquer without doubt, this fortune will all be for
+this little gentleman.'</p>
+
+<p>"George, whom I had just taken upon my knees, guessed that
+we were speaking of him, and he threw his little arms around
+my neck and touched my face with his lips."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_13_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_13_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br /><span class="sub">FIRE AT SEA.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_14_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_14_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"At this moment, a moment that I shall never forget, I heard
+a sudden crackling noise, strange and unexpected, coming from a
+point seemingly close to me. I turned around and saw nothing.
+Nevertheless, I still heard that sound in my ears. It was a strange
+sound. One might have thought that an immense punch had been
+lighted in the interior of the ship, and that the liquid, stirred up
+by invisible hands, was tossed up and down, hissing and crackling.
+The quick movement of my head had arrested George in the
+midst of his caresses. Now he looked up at me with astonished
+eyes. The uneasiness which I felt in spite of the absence of any
+cause must have appeared upon my face, for my wife, standing
+beside me, leaned over to ask, in a subdued voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'What is the matter?'</p>
+
+<p>"I think I answered, 'Nothing.' But my mind had dwelt upon
+an awful danger,&mdash;that danger of which the most hardened seamen
+speak with a beating heart,&mdash;fire at sea. Alas! my fears were to
+be realized. From one of the hatches there suddenly leaped up
+a tongue of flame. At the same instant we heard the awful
+cry, 'Fire!' To add to our distress, the wind had increased,
+and had become so violent that it fanned the flames with terrible
+rapidity, and had enveloped the state-rooms in the rear,
+whence the passengers were running, trembling and crying. In
+a few minutes the back of the ship was all on fire. My wife
+had snatched George from my arms, and held him closely against
+her breast, ready to save him or die with him. The captain,
+in the midst of the panic of the passengers, gave his orders.
+The boats were being lowered into the sea,&mdash;those at least
+which remained, for two had already been attacked by the fire.
+Accident threw the captain between me and my wife at the
+very moment when he was crying out to his men to allow none
+but the women and children in the boats. He recognized me.
+I had been introduced to him by a common friend, and he
+said, in a voice choked with emotion, pointing to my wife and
+my son,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Embrace them!'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_15_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_15_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_16_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_16_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Then he tore them both from my arms and pushed and
+carried them to the last boat, which was already too full. Night
+had come. With the rise of the wind,
+clouds had collected, obscuring the
+sky. By the light of the fire I saw
+for the last time&mdash;yes, for the last
+time&mdash;my wife and my child in the boat, shaken by an angry sea.
+Both were looking towards me. Did they see me also for the
+last time? And in my agony I cried out, 'George! George!' with
+a voice so loud that my son must surely have heard that last
+cry. Yes, he must have heard it. I stood rooted to the spot,
+looking without seeing anything, stupefied by this hopeless sorrow,
+not even feeling the intense heat of the flames, which were
+coming towards me. But the captain saw me. He ran towards
+me, drew me violently back, and threw me in the midst of the men,
+who were beginning a determined struggle against the fire which
+threatened to devour them. The instinct of life, the hope to see
+again my loved ones, gave me courage. I did as the others. Some
+of the passengers applied themselves to the chain; the pumps set
+in motion threw masses of water into the fire; but it seemed impossible
+to combat it, for it was alcohol which was burning. They
+had been obliged to repack part of the hold, where there were a
+number of demijohns of alcohol which the bad weather the first
+days had displaced. During the work one of these vast stone
+bottles had fallen and broken. As ill luck would have it, the
+alcohol descended in a rain upon a lamp in the story below, and
+the alcohol had taken fire. So I had not been mistaken when the
+first sound had made me think of the crackling of a punch. We
+worked with an energy which can only be found in moments of
+this sort. The captain inspired us with confidence. At one time
+we had hope. The flames had slackened, or at least we supposed
+so; but in fact they had only gone another way, and reached the
+powder-magazine. A violent explosion succeeded, and one of the
+masts was hurled into the sea. Were we lost? No; for the
+engineer had had a sudden inspiration. He had cut the pipes,
+and immediately directed upon the flames torrents of steam from
+the engine. A curtain of vapor lifted itself up between us and the
+fire, a curtain which the flames could not penetrate. Then the
+pumps worked still more effectually. We were saved."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_17_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_17_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /><span class="sub">MISS MIETTE'S FORTUNE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_18_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_18_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"The rudder no longer guided us. What a night we passed!
+We made a roll-call: how many were wanting? and the boats
+which contained our wives, our children,&mdash;had those boats found a
+refuge? had they reached land anywhere? The ocean was still rough,
+and, notwithstanding the captain's words of hope, I was in despair,&mdash;anticipating
+the sorrow that was to overwhelm me. Every one
+remained on deck. At daybreak a new feeling of sadness seized
+us at the sight of our steamer, deformed and blackened by the fire.
+The deck for more than forty yards was nothing but a vast hole,
+at the bottom of which were lying, pell-mell, half-consumed planks
+and beams, windlasses blackened by fire, bits of wood, and formless
+masses of metal over which the tongues of flame had passed.
+Notwithstanding all this the steamer was slowly put in motion.
+We were able to reach Havana. There we hoped we might hear
+some news. And we did hear news,&mdash;but what news! A sailing-vessel
+had found on the morrow of the catastrophe a capsized boat
+on the coast of the island of Andros, where the boat had evidently
+been directed. A sailor who had tied himself to the boat, and
+whom they at first thought dead, was recalled to life, and told his
+story of the fire. From Havana, where the sailing-vessel had
+stopped, a rescuing-party was at once sent out. They found and
+brought back with them the débris of boats broken against the
+rocks and also many dead bodies. These were all laid out in a
+large room, where the remaining passengers of the Britannic were
+invited. We had to count the dead; we had to identify them.
+With what agony, with what cruel heart-beats I entered the room.
+I closed my eyes. I tried to persuade myself that I would not find
+there the beings that were so dear to me. I wished to believe that
+they had been saved, my dear ones, while my other companions
+in misfortune were all crying and sobbing. At last I opened my
+eyes, and, the strength of my vision being suddenly increased to a
+wonderful degree, I saw that in this long line of bodies there was
+no child. That was my first thought. May my poor wife forgive
+me! She also was not there; but it was not long before she came.
+That very evening a rescuing-party brought back her corpse with
+the latest found."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger ceased speaking. He looked at his friends,
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize, who were silently weeping; then
+his eyes travelled to Miette. She was not crying; her look, sad but
+astonished, interested, questioned Monsieur Roger. He thought,
+"She cannot understand sorrow, this little girl, who has not had
+any trials."</p>
+
+<p>And the eyes of Miette seemed to answer, "But George?
+George? did they not find him?"</p>
+
+<p>At last Monsieur Roger understood this thought in the mind
+of Miette without any necessity on her part to express it by her
+lips, and, as if he were answering to a verbal question, he said,
+shaking his head,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No, they never found him."</p>
+
+<p>Miette expected this answer; then she too began to weep.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize repeated the last words of Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"They did not find him! I do not dare to ask you, my dear
+friend, if you preserve any hope."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I hope. I forced myself to hope for a long time. But
+the ocean kept my child in the same way that it buried in its depths
+many other victims of this catastrophe, for it was that very hope
+that made me remain in America. I might have returned to France
+and given up my engagements; but there I was closer to news, if
+there were any; and, besides, in work, in hard labor to which I
+intended to submit my body, I expected to find, if not forgetfulness,
+at least that weariness which dampens the spirit. I remained ten
+years in Texas, and I returned to-day without ever having forgotten
+that terrible night."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_19_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_19_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>There was a silence. Then Monsieur Dalize, wishing to create
+a diversion, asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"How does it happen that you did not announce to me beforehand
+your return. It was not until I received your telegram this
+morning that we learned this news which made us so happy. I had
+no reason to expect that your arrival would be so sudden. Did you
+not say that you were to remain another six months, and perhaps a
+year, in Texas?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I did then think that I should be forced to prolong
+my stay for some months. My contract was ended, my work was
+done. I was free, but the mining-company wished to retain me.
+They wanted me to sign a new contract, and to this end they
+invented all sorts of pretexts to keep me where I was. As I did
+not wish to go to law against the people through whom I had made
+my fortune, I determined to wait, hoping that my patience would
+tire them out; and that, in fact, is what happened. The company
+bowed before my decision. This good news reached me on the
+eve of the departure of a steamer. I did not hesitate for a moment;
+I at once took ship. I might indeed have given you notice on the
+way, but I wished to reserve to myself the happiness of surprising
+you. It was not until I reached Paris that I decided to send you
+a despatch; and even then I did not have the strength to await
+your reply."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Roger!" said Monsieur Dalize. "And then your process,
+your discovery, succeeded entirely?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have made a fortune,&mdash;a large fortune. I have told
+you that the enterprise was at my risk, but that the company
+would give me ten per cent. on all the ore that I would succeed
+in saving. Now, the mines of Texas used to produce four million
+dollars' worth a year. Thanks to my process, they produce nearly
+a million more. In ten years you can well see what was my
+portion."</p>
+
+<p>"Splendid!" said Monsieur Dalize; "it represents a sum
+of&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Madame Dalize interrupted her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Miette," said she, "cannot you do that little sum for us, my
+child?"</p>
+
+<p>Miette wiped her eyes and ceased crying. Her mother's desire
+had been reached. The little girl took a pencil, and, after making
+her mother repeat the question to her, put down some figures
+upon a sheet of paper. After a moment she said, not without
+hesitation, for the sum appeared to her enormous,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why! it is a million dollars that Monsieur Roger has made!"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Monsieur Roger; "and, my dear child, you
+have, without knowing it, calculated pretty closely the fortune
+which you will receive from me as your wedding portion."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur and Madame Dalize looked up with astonishment.
+Miette gazed at Monsieur Roger without understanding.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear friends," said Roger, turning to Monsieur and
+Madame Dalize, "you will not refuse me the pleasure of giving
+my fortune to Miss Miette. I have no one else in the world; and
+does not Mariette represent both of you? Where would my money
+be better placed?"</p>
+
+<p>And turning towards Miss Miette, he said to her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my child, that million will be yours on your marriage."</p>
+
+<p>Miette looked from her mother to her father, not knowing
+whether she ought to accept, and seriously embarrassed. With a
+sweet smile, Monsieur Roger added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And so, you see, you will be able to choose a husband that
+you like."</p>
+
+<p>Then, quietly and without hesitation, Miss Miette said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It will be Paul Solange."</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_20_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_20_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /><span class="sub">VACATION.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_21_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_21_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur and Madame Dalize could not help smiling in listening
+to this frank declaration of their daughter: "It will be Paul
+Solange."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger smiled in his turn, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What! has Miss Miette already made her choice?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is an amusing bit of childishness," answered Madame
+Dalize, "as you see. But, really, Miss Miette, although she teases
+him often, has a very kindly feeling for our friend Paul Solange."</p>
+
+<p>"And who is this happy little mortal?" asked Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"A friend of Albert's," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Albert, your son?" said Monsieur Roger, to whom this name
+and this word were always painful. Then he added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I should like very much to see him, your son."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall soon see him, my dear Roger," answered Monsieur
+Dalize. "Vacation begins to-morrow morning, and to-morrow
+evening Albert will be at Sainte-Gemme."</p>
+
+<p>"With Paul?" asked Miss Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly," said Madame Dalize, laughing; "with your
+friend Paul Solange."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"How old is Albert at present?"</p>
+
+<p>"In his thirteenth year," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger remained silent. He was thinking that his
+little George, if he had lived, would also be big now, and, like the
+son of Monsieur Dalize, would be in his thirteenth year.</p>
+
+<p>Next day the horses were harnessed, and all four went down
+to the station to meet the five-o'clock train. When Albert and
+Paul jumped out from the train, and had kissed Monsieur and
+Madame Dalize and Miss Miette, they looked with some surprise
+at Monsieur Roger, whom they did not know.</p>
+
+<p>"Albert," said Monsieur Dalize, showing Monsieur Roger to
+his son, "why don't you salute our friend Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is this Monsieur Roger?" cried Albert, and the tone of his
+voice showed that his father had taught him to know and to love
+the man who now, with his eyes full of tears, was pressing him
+to his heart.</p>
+
+<p>"And you too, Paul, don't you want to embrace our friend?"
+said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_22_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_22_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered Paul Solange, with a sad and respectful
+gravity, which struck Monsieur Roger and at once called up his
+affection.</p>
+
+<p>On the way, Monsieur Roger, who was looking with emotion
+upon the two young people, but whose eyes were particularly
+fixed upon Paul, said, in a low voice, to Monsieur Dalize,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"They are charming children."</p>
+
+<p>"And it is especially Paul whom you think charming; acknowledge
+it," answered Monsieur Dalize, in the same tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should Paul please me more than Albert?" asked
+Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my poor friend," replied Monsieur Dalize, "because
+the father of Albert is here and the father of Paul is far away."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize was right. Monsieur Roger, without wishing
+it, had felt his sympathies attracted more strongly to this child,
+who was, for the time being, fatherless. He bent over to Monsieur
+Dalize, and asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Paul's father?"</p>
+
+<p>"In Martinique, where he does a big business in sugar-cane
+and coffee. Monsieur Solange was born in France, and he decided
+that his son should come here to study."</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand that," replied Monsieur Roger; "but what
+a sorrow this exile must cause the mother of this child!"</p>
+
+<p>"Paul has no mother: she died several years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor boy!" murmured Monsieur Roger, and his growing
+friendship became all the stronger.</p>
+
+<p>That evening, after dinner, when coffee was being served,
+Miss Miette, who was in a very good humor, was seized with the
+desire to tease her little friend Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Paul," she asked, from one end of the table to the other,
+"how many prizes did you take this year?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul, knowing that an attack was coming, began to smile, and
+answered, good-naturedly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You know very well, you naughty girl. You have already
+asked me, and I have told you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that is true," said Miette, with affected disdain: "you
+took one prize,&mdash;one poor little prize,&mdash;bah!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, after a moment, she continued,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"That is not like my brother: he took several prizes, <i>he</i> did,&mdash;a
+prize for Latin, a prize for history, a prize for mathematics, a
+prize for physical science, and a prize for chemistry. Well, well!
+and you,&mdash;you only took one prize; and that is the same one you
+took last year!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Paul, without minding his friend's teasing; "but
+last year I took only the second prize, and this year I took the
+first."</p>
+
+<p>"You have made some progress," said Miss Miette, sententiously.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger had been interested in the dialogue.</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask what prize Master Paul Solange has obtained?"</p>
+
+<p>"A poor little first prize for drawing only," answered Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, you love drawing?" said Monsieur Roger, looking at
+Paul.</p>
+
+<p>But it was Miette who answered: "He loves nothing else."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize now, in his turn, took up the conversation,
+and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The truth is that our friend Paul has a passion for drawing.
+History and Latin please him a little, but for chemistry and the
+physical sciences he has no taste at all."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"You are wrong," replied Monsieur Dalize, "to excuse by
+your smile Paul's indifference to the sciences.&mdash;And as to you, Paul,
+you would do well to take as your example Monsieur Roger, who
+would not have his fortune if he had not known chemistry and
+the physical sciences. In our day the sciences are indispensable."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette, who had shoved herself a little away from the
+table, pouting slightly, heard these words, and came to the defence
+of the one whom she had begun by attacking. She opened a book
+full of pictures, and advanced with it to her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, papa," she said, with a look of malice in her eyes, "did
+the gentleman who made that drawing have to know anything
+about chemistry or the physical sciences?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_23_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_23_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /><span class="sub">A DRAWING LESSON.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_24_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_24_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>For a moment Monsieur Dalize was disconcerted, and knew not
+what to say in answer. Happily, Monsieur Roger came to his aid.
+He took the book from Miette's hands, looked at the engraving, and
+said, quietly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly, my dear young friend, the gentleman who
+made that drawing ought to know something about chemistry and
+physical science."</p>
+
+<p>"How so?" said Miette, astonished.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if he did not know the laws of physical science and of
+chemistry, he has, none the less, and perhaps even without knowing
+it himself, availed himself of the results of chemistry and
+physical science."</p>
+
+<p>Miette took the book back again, looked at the drawing with
+care, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Still, there are not in this drawing instruments or apparatus,
+or machines such as I have seen in my brother's books."</p>
+
+<p>"But," answered Monsieur Roger, smiling, "it is not necessary
+that you should see instruments and apparatus and machines, as you
+say, to be in the presence of physical phenomena; and I assure you,
+my dear child, that this drawing which is under our eyes is connected
+with chemistry and physical science."</p>
+
+<p>Miette now looked up at Monsieur Roger to see if he was not
+making fun of her. Monsieur Roger translated this dumb interrogation,
+and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Come, now! what does this drawing represent? Tell me
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it represents two peasants,&mdash;a man and a woman,&mdash;who
+have returned home wet in the storm, and who are warming and
+drying themselves before the fire."</p>
+
+<p>"It is, in fact, exactly that."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, sir?" asked Miette.</p>
+
+<p>And in this concise answer she meant to say, "In all that, what
+do you see that is connected with chemistry or physical science?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," continued Monsieur Roger; "do you see this
+light mist, this vapor, which is rising from the cloak that the peasant
+is drying before the fire?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is physical science," said Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_25_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_25_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?" asked Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"I will explain in a moment. Let us continue to examine the
+picture. Do you see that a portion of the wood is reduced to
+ashes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you also remark the flame and the smoke which are rising
+up the chimney?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"That is chemistry."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said Miss Miette, at a loss for words.</p>
+
+<p>Every one was listening to Monsieur Roger, some of them interested,
+the others amused. Miette glanced over at her friend Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of that?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Paul did not care to reply. Albert wished to speak, but he
+stopped at a gesture from his father. Monsieur Dalize knew that
+the real interest of this scene lay with Monsieur Roger, the scientist,
+who was already loved by all this little world. Miette, as
+nobody else answered, returned to Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"But why," she asked, "is that physical science? Why is it
+chemistry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is physical science and chemistry," said Monsieur
+Roger, simply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you have other reasons to give us!" said Madame
+Dalize, who understood what Monsieur Roger was thinking of.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Miette.</p>
+
+<p>And even Paul, with unusual curiosity, nodded his head affirmatively.</p>
+
+<p>"The reasons will be very long to explain, and would bore
+you," said Monsieur Dalize, certain that he would in this way
+provoke a protest.</p>
+
+<p>The protest, in fact, came.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger was obliged to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said he, still addressing himself to Miss Miette, "this
+drawing is concerned with physical science, because the peasant, in
+placing his cloak before the heat of the fire, causes the phenomenon
+of evaporation to take place. The vapor which escapes from the
+damp cloth is water, is nothing but water, and will always be water
+under a different form. It is water modified, and modified for a
+moment, because this vapor, coming against the cold wall or other
+cold objects, will condense. That is to say, it will become again
+liquid water,&mdash;water similar to that which it was a moment ago;
+and that is a physical phenomenon,&mdash;for physical science aims to
+study the modifications which alter the form, the color, the appearance
+of bodies, but only their temporary modifications, which leave
+intact all the properties of bodies. Our drawing is concerned with
+chemistry, because the piece of wood which burns disappears, leaving
+in its place cinders in the hearth and gases which escape through
+the chimney. Here there is a complete modification, an absolute
+change of the piece of wood. Do what you will, you would be
+unable, by collecting together the cinders and gases, to put
+together again the log of wood which has been burned; and that
+is a chemical phenomenon,&mdash;for the aim of chemistry is to study
+the durable and permanent modifications, after which bodies retain
+none of their original properties. Another example may make
+more easy this distinction between physical science and chemistry.
+Suppose that you put into the fire a bar of iron. That bar will
+expand and become red. Its color, its form, its dimensions will be
+modified, but it will always remain a bar of iron. That is a physical
+phenomenon. Instead of this bar of iron, put in the fire a bit of
+sulphur. It will flame up and burn in disengaging a gas of a peculiar
+odor, which is called sulphuric acid. This sulphuric-acid gas
+can be condensed and become a liquid, but it no longer contains
+the properties of sulphur. It is no longer a piece of sulphur, and
+can never again become a piece of sulphur. The modification of
+this body is therefore durable, and therefore permanent. Now,
+that is a chemical phenomenon."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped for a moment; then, paying no apparent
+attention to Paul, who, however, was listening far more attentively
+than one could imagine he would, he looked at Miette, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, my child, if I have explained myself clearly
+enough; but you must certainly understand that in their case the
+artist has represented, whether he wished to or not, the physical
+phenomenon and the chemical phenomenon."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered Miette, "I have understood quite well."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Monsieur Dalize, "since you are so good a teacher,
+don't you think that you could, during vacation, cause a little chemistry
+and a little physical science to enter into that little head?"
+And he pointed to Paul Solange.</p>
+
+<p>The latter, notwithstanding the sentiment of respectful sympathy
+which he felt for Monsieur Roger, and although he had listened
+with interest to his explanations, could not prevent a gesture of
+fear, so pronounced that everybody began to laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Miette, who wished to console her good friend Paul and obtain
+his pardon for her teasing, came up to him, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Come, console yourself, Paul; I will let you take my portrait
+a dozen times, as you did last year,&mdash;although it is very tiresome
+to pose for a portrait."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_26_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_26_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /><span class="sub">THE TOWER OF HEURTEBIZE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_27_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_27_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Next morning at six o'clock Paul Solange opened the door
+of the château and stepped out on to the lawn. He held a sketch-book
+in his hand. He directed his steps along a narrow pathway,
+shaded by young elms, towards one of the gates of the park.
+At a turning in the alley he found himself face to face with Monsieur
+Roger, who was walking slowly and thoughtfully. Paul stopped,
+and in his surprise could not help saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Roger, already up?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur answered, smiling,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But you also, Master Paul, you are, like me, already up.
+Are you displeased to meet me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, sir," Paul hastened to say, blushing a little. "Why
+should I be displeased at meeting you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then, may I ask you where you are going so early in the
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Over there," said Paul, stretching his hand towards a high
+wooded hill: "over there to Heurtebize."</p>
+
+<p>"And what are you going to do over there?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul answered by showing his sketch-book.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, you are going to draw?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I am going to draw, to take a sketch of the tower;
+that old tower which you see on the right side of the hill."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Master Paul, will you be so kind," asked Monsieur
+Roger, "as to allow me to go with you and explore this old
+tower?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul, on hearing this proposal, which he could not refuse,
+made an involuntary movement of dismay, exactly similar to that
+he had made the night before.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, fear nothing," said Monsieur Roger, good-naturedly. "I
+will not bore you either with physical science nor chemistry. I hope
+you will accept me, therefore, as your companion on the way, without
+any apprehensions of that kind of annoyance."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, let us go, sir," answered Paul, a little ashamed to have
+had his thoughts so easily guessed.</p>
+
+<p>They took a short cut across the fields, passing wide expanses
+of blossoming clover; they crossed a road, they skirted fields of
+wheat and of potatoes. At last they arrived upon the wooded
+hill of Heurtebize, at the foot of the old tower, which still
+proudly raised its head above the valleys.</p>
+
+<p>"What a lovely landscape!" said Monsieur Roger, when he
+had got his breath.</p>
+
+<p>"The view is beautiful," said Paul, softly; "but it is nothing
+like the view you get up above there."</p>
+
+<p>"Up above?" said Monsieur Roger, without understanding.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, from the summit of the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"You have climbed up the tower?"</p>
+
+<p>"Several times."</p>
+
+<p>"But it is falling into ruins, this poor tower; it has only one
+fault, that of having existed for two or three hundred years."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed very old," answered Paul; "it is the last vestige
+of the old château of Sainte-Gemme, which, it is said, was built
+in the sixteenth century, or possibly even a century or two earlier;
+nobody is quite certain as to the date; at all events, the former
+proprietors several years ago determined to preserve it, and they
+even commenced some repairs upon it. The interior stairway
+has been put in part into sufficiently good condition to enable you
+to use it, if you at the same time call a little bit of gymnastics to
+your aid, as you will have to do at a few places.  And I have
+used it in this way very often; but please now be good enough
+to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_28_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_28_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Paul stopped, hesitating.</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough to what? Tell me."</p>
+
+<p>Then Paul Solange added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To say nothing of this to Madame Dalize. That would
+make her uneasy."</p>
+
+<p>"Not only will I say nothing, my dear young friend, but I will
+join you in the ascent,&mdash;for I have the greatest desire to do what
+you are going to do, and to ascend the tower with you."</p>
+
+<p>Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, and said, quickly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But, sir, there is danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Bah! as there is none for you, why should there be danger
+for me?"</p>
+
+<p>Somewhat embarrassed, Paul replied,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am young, sir; more active than you, perhaps, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If that is your only reason, my friend, do not disturb yourself.
+Let us try the ascent."</p>
+
+<p>"On one condition, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I go up first."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my dear friend, I consent. You shall go first," said Monsieur
+Roger, who would have himself suggested this if the idea
+had not come to Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Both of them, Monsieur Roger and Paul, had at this moment
+the same idea of self-sacrifice. Paul said to himself, "If any accident
+happens, it will happen to me, and not to Monsieur Roger." And
+Monsieur Roger, sure of his own strength, thought, "If Paul should
+happen to fall, very likely I may be able to catch him and save him."</p>
+
+<p>Luckily, the ascent, though somewhat difficult, was accomplished
+victoriously, and Monsieur Roger was enabled to recognize that
+the modified admiration which Paul Solange felt for the landscape,
+as seen from below, was entirely justified.</p>
+
+<p>Paul asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"How high is this tower? A hundred feet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Less than that, I think," answered Monsieur Roger. "Still,
+it will be easy to find out exactly in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"In a moment?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Without descending?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; we will remain where we are."</p>
+
+<p>Paul made a gesture which clearly indicated, "I would like to
+see that."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger understood.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no lack of pieces of stone in this tower; take one,"
+said he to Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Paul obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"You will let this stone fall to the earth at the very moment
+that I tell you to do so."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger drew out his watch and looked carefully at the
+second-hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, let go," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Paul opened his hand; the stone fell. It could be heard striking
+the soil at the foot of the tower. Monsieur Roger, who during
+the fall of the stone had had his eyes fixed upon his watch, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The tower is not very high." Then he added, after a moment
+of reflection, "The tower is sixty-two and a half feet in
+height."</p>
+
+<p>Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, thinking that he was laughing
+at him. Monsieur Roger lifted his eyes to Paul; he looked quite
+serious. Then Paul said, softly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The tower is sixty feet high?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sixty-two and a half feet,&mdash;for the odd two and a half feet
+must not be forgotten in our computation."</p>
+
+<p>Paul was silent. Then, seeing that Monsieur Roger was ready
+to smile, and mistaking the cause of this smile, he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You are joking, are you not? You cannot know that the
+tower is really sixty feet high?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sixty-two feet and six inches," repeated Monsieur Roger again.
+"That is exact. Do you want to have it proved to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, sir," said Paul Solange, with real curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Go back to the château, and bring me a ball of
+twine and a yard-measure."</p>
+
+<p>"I run," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Take care!" cried Monsieur Roger, seeing how quickly Paul
+was hurrying down the tower.</p>
+
+<p>When Paul had safely reached the ground, Monsieur Roger
+said to himself, with an air of satisfaction,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come! we will make something out of that boy yet!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_29_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_29_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><br /><span class="sub">PHYSICAL SCIENCE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_30_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_30_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Paul returned to the tower more quickly than Monsieur Roger
+had expected. Instead of returning to the château, he had taken
+the shortest cut, had reached the village, and had procured there
+the two things wanted. He climbed up the tower and arrived
+beside Monsieur Roger, holding out the ball of twine and the
+yard-stick.</p>
+
+<p>"You are going to see, you little doubter, that I was not
+wrong," said Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>He tied a stone to the twine, and let it down outside the tower
+to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"This length of twine," he said, "represents exactly the height
+of the tower, does it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger made a knot in the twine at the place where
+it rested on the top of the tower. Then he asked Paul to take
+the yard-stick which he had brought, and to hold it extended
+between his two hands. Then, drawing up the twine which hung
+outside the tower, he measured it yard by yard. Paul counted.
+When he had reached the number sixty, he could not help bending
+over to see how much remained of the twine.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, sir," he cried, "I think you have won."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us finish our count," said Monsieur Roger, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>And Paul counted,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sixty-one, sixty-two,&mdash;sixty-two feet&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And?"</p>
+
+<p>"And six inches!" cried Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"I have won, as you said, my young friend," cried Monsieur
+Roger, who enjoyed Paul's surprise. "Now let us cautiously descend
+and return to the château, where the breakfast-bell will
+soon ring."</p>
+
+<p>The descent was made in safety, and they directed their steps
+towards Sainte-Gemme. Paul walked beside Monsieur Roger
+without saying anything. He was deep in thought.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_31_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_31_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger, understanding what was going on in the
+brain of his friend, took care not to disturb him. He waited,
+hoping for an answer. His hope was soon realized. As they
+reached the park, Paul, who, after thinking a great deal, had failed
+to solve the difficulty, said, all of a sudden,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Roger!"</p>
+
+<p>"What, my friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"How did you measure the tower?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger looked at Paul, and, affecting a serious air,
+he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible, entirely impossible for me to answer."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible?" cried Paul, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, please?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because in answering I will break the promise that I have
+made you,&mdash;the promise to say nothing about chemistry or physical
+science."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said Paul, becoming silent again.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger glanced at his companion from the corner of
+his eye, knowing that his curiosity would soon awake again. At
+the end of the narrow, shady pathway they soon saw the red bricks
+of the château shining in the sun; but Paul had not yet renewed
+his question, and Monsieur Roger began to be a little uneasy,&mdash;for,
+if Paul held his tongue, it would show that his curiosity had
+vanished, and another occasion to revive it would be difficult to find.</p>
+
+<p>Luckily, Paul decided to speak at the very moment when they
+reached the château.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said he, expressing the idea which was uppermost,&mdash;"Then
+it is physical science?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger asked, in an indifferent tone,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What is physical science?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your method of measuring the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is physical science, as you say. Consequently, you
+see very well that I cannot answer you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Monsieur Roger," said Paul, embarrassed, "you are
+laughing at me."</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all, my friend. I made a promise; I must hold to
+it. I have a great deal of liking for you, and I don't want you
+to dislike me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly they heard the voice of Monsieur Dalize, who cried,
+cheerfully,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"See, they are already quarrelling!"</p>
+
+<p>For some moments Monsieur Dalize, at the door of the vestibule,
+surrounded by his wife and his children, had been gazing at the two
+companions. Monsieur Roger and Paul approached.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" asked Monsieur Dalize, shaking hands
+with his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"A very strange thing has happened," answered Monsieur
+Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"And what is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simply that Master Paul wants me to speak to him of physical
+science."</p>
+
+<p>An astonished silence, soon followed by a general laugh, greeted
+these words. Miss Miette took a step forward, looked at Paul
+with an uneasy air, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sick, my little Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul, confused, kept silent, but he answered by a reproachful
+look the ironical question of his friend Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"But whence could such a change have come?" asked Madame
+Dalize, addressing Monsieur Roger. "Explain to us what has
+happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Here are the facts," answered Monsieur Roger. "We had
+climbed up the tower of Heurtebize&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Madame Dalize started, and turned a look of uneasiness towards
+Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Paul was not at fault," Monsieur Roger hastened to add. "I
+was the guilty one. Well, we were up there, when Master
+Paul got the idea of estimating the height of the tower. I
+answered that nothing was more simple than to know it at once.
+I asked him to let fall a stone. I looked at my watch while
+the stone was falling, and I said, 'The tower is sixty-two feet
+and six inches high.' Master Paul seemed to be astonished.
+He went after a yard-stick and some twine. We measured
+the tower, and Master Paul has recognized that the tower is in fact
+sixty-two feet and six inches high. Now he wants me to tell him
+how I have been able so simply, with so little trouble, to learn
+the height. That is a portion of physical science; and, as I made
+Master Paul a promise this very morning not to speak to him of
+physical science nor of chemistry, you see it is impossible for me
+to answer."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize understood at once what his friend Roger
+had in view, and, assuming the same air, he answered,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, it is impossible; you are perfectly right. You
+promised; you must keep your promise."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless," said Miss Miette, taking sides with her friend Paul,&mdash;"unless
+Paul releases Monsieur Roger from his promise."</p>
+
+<p>"You are entirely right, my child," said Monsieur Roger;
+"should Paul release me sufficiently to ask me to answer him.
+But, as I remarked to you a moment ago, I fear that he will repent
+too quickly, and take a dislike to me. That I should be very
+sorry for."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, I will not repent. I promise you that."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Miette; "there is another promise. You
+know that you will have to keep it."</p>
+
+<p>"But," answered Monsieur Roger, turning to Paul, "it will be
+necessary for me to speak to you of weight, of the fall of bodies,
+of gravitation; and I am very much afraid that that will weary
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," answered Paul, very seriously, "that will not weary
+me. On the contrary, that will interest me, if it teaches me how
+you managed to calculate the height of the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"It will certainly teach you that."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am content," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"And I also," said Monsieur Roger to himself, happy to have
+attained his object so soon.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_32_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_32_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><br /><span class="sub">THE SMOKE WHICH FALLS.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_33_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_33_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>In the evening, after dinner, Monsieur Roger, to whom Paul
+recalled his promise, asked Miette to go and find him a pebble in
+the pathway before the château. When he had the bit of stone
+in his hand, Monsieur Roger let it fall from the height of about
+three feet.</p>
+
+<p>"As you have just heard and seen," said he, addressing Paul,
+"this stone in falling from a small height produces only a feeble
+shock, but if it falls from the height of the house upon the flagstones
+of the pavement, the shock would be violent enough to
+break it."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger interrupted himself, and put this question to
+Paul:</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly you may have asked yourself why this stone should
+fall. Why do bodies fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness knows," said the small voice of Miss Miette in the
+midst of the silence that followed.</p>
+
+<p>"Miette," said Madame Dalize, "be serious, and don't answer
+for others."</p>
+
+<p>"But, mamma, I am sure that Paul would have answered the
+same as I did:&mdash;would you not, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul bent his head slightly as a sign that Miette was not
+mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," continued Monsieur Roger, "another one before you
+did ask himself this question. It was a young man of twenty-three
+years, named Newton. He found himself one fine evening in a
+garden, sitting under an apple-tree, when an apple fell at his feet.
+This common fact, whose cause had never awakened the attention
+of anybody, filled all his thoughts; and, as the moon was shining
+in the heavens, Newton asked himself why the moon did not fall
+like the apple."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Miette; "why does not the moon fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, and you will hear," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger continued:</p>
+
+<p>"By much reflection, by hard work and calculation, Newton
+made an admirable discovery,&mdash;that of universal attraction. Yes,
+he discovered that all bodies, different though they may be, attract
+each other: they draw towards each other; the bodies which
+occupy the celestial spaces,&mdash;planets and suns,&mdash;as well as the
+bodies which are found upon our earth. The force which attracts
+bodies towards the earth, which made this stone fall, as Newton's
+apple fell, has received the name of weight. Weight, therefore,
+is the attraction of the earth for articles which are on its surface.
+Why does this table, around which we find ourselves, remain in
+the same place? Why does it not slide or fly away? Simply
+because it is retained by the attraction of the earth. I have told
+you that all bodies attract each other. It is therefore quite true
+that in the same way as the earth attracts the table, so does the
+table attract the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Like a loadstone," said Albert Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you may compare the earth in this instance to a loadstone.
+The loadstone draws the iron, and iron draws the loadstone,
+exactly as the earth and the table draw each other; but you
+can understand that the earth attracts the table with far more
+force than the table attracts the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miette; "because the earth is bigger than the
+table."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly so. It has been discovered that bodies attract each
+other in proportion to their size,&mdash;that is to say, the quantity of
+matter that they contain. On the other hand, the farther bodies
+are from each other the less they attract each other. I should
+translate in this fashion the scientific formula which tells us that
+bodies attract each other in an inverse ratio to the square of the
+distance. I would remind you that the square of a number is the
+product obtained by multiplying that number by itself. So all
+bodies are subject to that force which we call weight; all substances,
+all matter abandoned to itself, falls to the earth."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_34_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_34_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Just here Miss Miette shifted uneasily on her chair, wishing
+to make an observation, but not daring.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Miss Miette," said Monsieur Roger, who saw this manoeuvre,
+"you have something to tell us. Your little tongue is itching
+to say something. Well, speak; we should all like to hear you."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "is not smoke a substance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; the word substance signifies something that exists.
+Smoke exists. Therefore it is a substance."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," replied Miette, with an air of contentment with herself,
+"as smoke is a substance, there is one substance which does not
+fall to the earth. Indeed, it does just the opposite."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Miss Miette wants to catch me," said Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>Miette made a gesture of modest denial, but at heart she was
+very proud of the effect which she had produced, for every one
+looked at her with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"To the smoke of which you speak," continued Monsieur Roger,
+"you might add balloons, and even clouds."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, that is true," answered Miette, näively.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; although smoke and balloons rise in the air instead
+of falling, although clouds remain suspended above our heads,
+smoke and balloons and clouds are none the less bodies with
+weight. What prevents their fall is the fact that they find themselves
+in the midst of the air, which is heavier than they are. Take
+away the air and they would fall."</p>
+
+<p>"Take away the air?" cried Miette, with an air of doubt,
+thinking that she was facing an impossibility.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, take away the air," continued Monsieur Roger; "for
+that can be done. There even exists for this purpose a machine,
+which is called an air-pump. You place under a glass globe a
+lighted candle. Then you make a vacuum,&mdash;that is to say, by
+the aid of the air-pump you exhaust the air in the globe;
+soon the candle is extinguished for want of air, but the wick
+of the candle continues for some instants to produce smoke. Now,
+you think, I suppose, that that smoke rises in the globe?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, not at all; it falls."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! I should like to see that!" cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"And, in order to give you the pleasure of seeing this, I
+suppose you would like an air-pump?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, papa will buy me one.&mdash;Say, papa, won't you do it,
+so we may see the smoke fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed!" said Monsieur Dalize; "how can we introduce
+here instruments of physical science during vacation? What
+would Paul say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Paul would say nothing. I am sure that he is just as anxious
+as I am to see smoke fall.&mdash;Are you not, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>And Paul Solange, already half-conquered, made a sign from
+the corner of his eye to his little friend that her demand was
+not at all entirely disagreeable to him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_35_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_35_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><br /><span class="sub">AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_36_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_36_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger, hiding his satisfaction, seemed to attach no
+importance to this request of Miette under the assent given by
+Paul. Wishing to profit by the awakened curiosity of his little
+friend, he hastened to continue, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Who wants to bring me a bit of cork and a glass of water?"</p>
+
+<p>"I! I!" cried Miette, running.</p>
+
+<p>When Miette had returned with the articles, Monsieur Roger
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"I told you a moment ago that if balloons and smoke and
+clouds do not fall, it is because they find themselves in the midst
+of air which is heavier than they are. I am going to try an
+experiment which will make you understand what I have said."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger took the cork, raised his hand above his
+head, and opened his fingers: the cork fell.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it a heavy body?" said he.  "Did it fall to the ground?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," cried Paul and Miette together.</p>
+
+<p>Then Monsieur Roger placed the glass of water in front of
+him, took the cork, which Miette had picked up, and forced it with
+his finger to the bottom of the glass; then he withdrew his finger,
+and the cork mounted up to the surface again.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see?" asked Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miss Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"You remarked something?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly: the cork would not fall, and you were obliged to
+force it into the water with your finger."</p>
+
+<p>"And not only," continued Monsieur Roger, "it would not
+fall, as you say, but it even hastened to rise again as soon as it
+was freed from the pressure of my finger. We were wrong, then,
+when we said that this same cork is a heavy body?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I don't know," said Miette, a little confused.</p>
+
+<p>"Still, we must know. Did this cork fall just now upon the
+ground?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it was a heavy body?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And now that it remains on the surface of the water, that
+it no longer precipitates itself towards the earth, it is no longer
+a heavy body?"</p>
+
+<p>This time Miette knew not what to answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, be very sure," continued Monsieur Roger, "that it
+is heavy. If it does not fall to the bottom of the water, it is
+because the water is heavier than it. The water is an obstacle
+to it. Nevertheless, it is attracted, like all bodies, towards the
+earth, or, more precisely, towards the centre of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Towards the centre of the earth?" repeated Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, towards the centre of the earth. Can Miss Miette
+procure for me two pieces of string and two heavy bodies,&mdash;for
+example, small pieces of lead?"</p>
+
+<p>"String, yes; but where can I get lead?" asked Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Look in the box where I keep my fishing-tackle," said
+Monsieur Dalize to his daughter, "and find two sinkers
+there."</p>
+
+<p>Miette disappeared, and came back in a moment with the
+articles desired. Monsieur Roger tied the little pieces of lead
+to the two separate strings. Then he told Miette to hold the
+end of one of these strings in her fingers. He himself did the
+same with the other string. The two strings from which the
+sinkers were suspended swayed to and fro for some seconds, and
+then stopped in a fixed position.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_37_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_37_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"Is it not evident," said Monsieur Roger, "that the direction
+of our strings is the same as the direction in which the force
+which we call weight attracts the bodies of lead? In fact, if you
+cut the string, the lead would go in that direction. The string
+which Miss Miette is holding and that which I hold myself seem
+to us to be parallel,&mdash;that is to say, that it seems impossible they
+should ever meet, however long the distance which they travel.
+Well, that is an error. For these two strings, if left to themselves,
+would meet exactly at the centre of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Miette, "if we detach the sinkers, they would
+fall, and would join each other exactly at the centre of the
+earth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if they encountered no obstacle; but they would be
+stopped by the resistance of the ground. They would attempt
+to force themselves through, and would not succeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if the ground which supports us did not resist, we
+would not be at this moment chatting quietly here on the surface
+of the earth; drawn by gravity, we would all be&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"At the centre of the earth!" cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. And it might very well happen that I would not
+then be in a mood to explain to you the attraction of gravity."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is very probable," said Miss Miette, philosophically.
+Then she added, "If, instead of letting these bits of lead fall upon
+the ground, we let them fall in water?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they would approach the centre of the earth for the
+entire depth of the water."</p>
+
+<p>Miette had mechanically placed the sinker above the glass of
+water. She let it fall into it; the cork still swam above.</p>
+
+<p>"Why does the lead fall to the bottom of the water, and why
+does the cork not fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Albert, "because lead is heavier than cork."</p>
+
+<p>Miette looked at her brother, and then turned her eyes towards
+Monsieur Roger, as if the explanation given by Albert explained
+nothing, and finally she said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Of course lead is heavier than cork; but why is it
+heavier?"</p>
+
+<p>"My child, you want to know a great deal," said Madame
+Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mamma, it is not my fault,&mdash;it is Paul's, who wants to
+know, and does not like to ask. I am obliged to ask questions
+in his stead."</p>
+
+<p>That was true. Paul asked no questions, but he listened with
+attention, and his eyes seemed to approve the questions asked by
+his friend Miette. Monsieur Roger had observed with pleasure
+the conduct of his young friend, and it was for him, while he was
+looking at Miette, the latter continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us, Monsieur Roger, why is lead heavier than cork?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because its density is greater," answered Monsieur Roger,
+seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" murmured Miette, disappointed; and, as Monsieur
+Roger kept silent, she added, "What is density?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would take a long time to explain."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me all the same."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger saw at this moment that Paul was beckoning
+to Miette to insist.</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness!" said he, smiling at Paul; "Miss Miette was
+right just now. It is you that wish me to continue the questions!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_38_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_38_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br /><span class="sub">WHY LEAD IS HEAVIER THAN CORK.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_39_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_39_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger continued in these words:</p>
+
+<p>"We say that a body has density when it is thick and packed
+close. We give the name of density to the quantity of matter
+contained in a body of a certain size.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us suppose that this bit of lead has the same bulk&mdash;that
+is to say, that it is exactly as big&mdash;as the cork. Suppose,
+also, that we have a piece of gold and a piece of stone, also
+of the same bulk as the cork, and that we weigh each
+different piece in a pair of scales. We would find that cork
+weighs less than stone, that stone weighs less than lead, and
+that lead weighs less than gold. But, in order to compare these
+differences with each other, it has been necessary to adopt a
+standard of weight.</p>
+
+<p>"I now return to Miss Miette's question,&mdash;'Why is lead
+heavier than cork?'&mdash;a question to which I had solemnly answered,
+'Because its density is greater.' Miss Miette must now understand
+that cork, weighing four times less than water, cannot sink
+in water, although that process is very easy to lead, which weighs
+eleven times more than water. And yet," said Monsieur Roger,
+"the problem is not perfectly solved, and I am quite sure that
+Miss Miette is not entirely satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>"I was not mistaken. Miss Miette is not satisfied," said Monsieur
+Roger; "and she is right,&mdash;for I have not really explained
+to her why lead is heavier than cork."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette made a gesture, which seemed to say, "That is
+what I was expecting."</p>
+
+<p>"I said just now," continued Monsieur Roger, "that the
+density of a body was the quantity of matter contained in this
+body in a certain bulk. Now does Miss Miette know what
+matter is?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"No! Now, there is the important thing: because, in explaining
+to her what matter is, I will make her understand why lead is
+heavier than cork."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am listening," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>And Master Paul respectfully added, in an undertone, "We
+are listening."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger continued:</p>
+
+<p>"The name of 'bodies' has been given to all objects which,
+in infinite variety, surround us and reveal themselves to us by the
+touch, taste, sight, and smell. All these bodies present distinct
+properties; but there are certain numbers of properties which are
+common to all. Those all occupy a certain space; all are expanded
+by heat, are contracted by cold, and can even pass from the solid
+to the liquid state, and from the liquid to the gaseous state. They
+all possess a certain amount of elasticity, a certain amount of compressibility,&mdash;in
+a word, there exist in all bodies common characteristics:
+so they have given a common name to those possessing
+these common properties, and called that which constitutes bodies
+'matter.' Bodies are not compact, as you may imagine. They
+are, on the contrary, formed by the union of infinitely small particles,
+all equal to each other and maintained at distances that are
+relatively considerable by the force of attraction.</p>
+
+<p>"These infinitely small particles have received the names of
+atoms or molecules. Imagine a pile of bullets, and remark the
+empty spaces left between them, and you will have a picture of
+the formation of bodies. I must acknowledge to you that no one
+has yet seen the molecules of a body. Their size is so small
+that no microscope can ever be made keen enough to see
+them. A wise man has reached this conclusion: That if you
+were to look at a drop of water through a magnifying instrument
+which made it appear as large as the whole earth, the molecules
+which compose this drop of water would seem hardly bigger than
+bits of bird-shot. Still, this conception of the formation of bodies
+is proved by certain properties which matter enjoys. Among
+these properties I must especially single out divisibility. Matter
+can be divided into parts so small that it is difficult to conceive of
+them. Gold-beaters, for instance, succeed in making gold-leaf so
+thin that it is necessary to place sixty thousand one on top of
+the other to arrive at the thickness of an inch. I will give you
+two other examples of 'divisibility' that are still more striking.
+For years, hardly losing any of its weight, a grain of musk spreads
+a strong odor. In a tubful of water one single drop of indigo
+communicates its color. The smallness of these particles of musk
+which strike the sense of smell and of these particles of indigo
+which color several quarts of water is beyond our imagination to
+conceive of. And these examples prove that bodies are nothing
+but a conglomeration of molecules. Now, if lead is heavier than
+cork, it is because in an equal volume it contains a far more considerable
+quantity of molecules, and because these molecules are
+themselves heavier than the molecules of cork. And now I shall
+stop," said Monsieur Roger, "after this long but necessary explanation.
+I will continue on the day when Miss Miette will present
+to me the famous air-pump."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not be very long from now," said Miss Miette to
+herself.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_40_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_40_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br /><span class="sub">THE AIR-PUMP.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_41_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_41_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger had deferred his explanations for three
+days. He was awaiting the air-pump which Monsieur Dalize, at
+Miette's desire, had decided to purchase in Paris. Monsieur Roger
+judged that this interruption and this rest were necessary. In
+this way his hearers would not be tired too soon, and their curiosity,
+remaining unsatisfied for the moment, would become more eager.
+He was not mistaken; and when a large box containing the air-pump
+and other objects ordered by Monsieur Roger arrived, a
+series of cries of astonishment came from the pretty mouth of Miss
+Miette. Paul Solange, however, remained calm; but Monsieur
+Roger knew that his interest had been really awakened. They
+spent the afternoon in unpacking the air-pump, and Monsieur
+Roger was called upon at once to explain the instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"The machine," he said, "is called an air-pump because it is
+intended to exhaust air contained in a vase or other receptacle.
+To exhaust the air in a vase is to make a vacuum in that vase.
+You will see that this machine is composed of two cylinders, or
+pump-barrels, out of which there comes a tube, which opens in the
+centre of this disk of glass. Upon this disk we carefully place this
+globe of glass; and now we are going to exhaust the air contained
+in the globe."</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to make a vacuum," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly." And Monsieur Roger commenced to work the
+lever. "You will take notice," he said, "that when the lever is
+lowered at the left the round piece of leather placed in the cylinder
+on the left side is lowered, and that the bit of leather in the right-hand
+cylinder is raised. In the same way, when the lever is
+lowered at the right, it is the right-hand piece of leather which is
+lowered, while the piece of leather at the left is raised in its turn.
+These round bits of leather, whose importance is considerable, are
+called pistons. Each piston is hollow and opens into the air on
+top, while at the bottom, which communicates with that portion of
+the cylinder situated below the piston, there is a little hole, which
+is stopped by a valve. This valve is composed of a little round
+bit of metal, bearing on top a vertical stem, around which is rolled
+a spring somewhat in the shape of a coil or ringlet. The ends of
+this spring rest on one side on a little bit of metal, on the other on
+a fixed rest, pierced by a hole in which the stem of the valve can
+freely go up and down. When I work the lever, as I am doing
+now, you see that on the left side the piston lowers itself in the
+cylinder, and that the piston on the right is raised. Now, what
+is going on in the interior of each cylinder? The piston of the
+left, in lowering, disturbs the air contained in the cylinder,&mdash;it forces
+it down, it compresses it. Under this compression the coiled
+spring gives way, the round bit of metal is raised, and opens the
+little hole which puts the under part of the piston in communication
+with the atmosphere. The air contained in the cylinder
+passes in this way across the piston and disperses itself in the air
+which surrounds us. But the spring makes the bit of metal fall
+back again and closes the communication in the right-hand cylinder
+as soon as the piston commences to rise and the pressure of the
+air in the cylinder is not greater than the pressure of the atmosphere
+outside. Lastly, the tube which unites the cylinders to the
+glass globe opens at the end of each cylinder, but a little on the side.
+It is closed by a little cork, carried by a metal stem which traverses
+the whole piston. When I cause one of the pistons to lower,
+the piston brings the stem down with it. The cork at once comes
+in contact with the hole, which closes; the stem is then stopped,
+but the piston continues to descend by sliding over it. In the
+other cylinder, in which the piston is raised, it commences by
+raising the stem, which re-establishes communication with the glass
+globe; but as soon as the top of the stem comes in contact with
+the upper part of the cylinder, it stops and the piston glides over
+it and continues to rise."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_42_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_42_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"In this fashion the movements of the cork are very small, and
+it opens and shuts the orifice as soon as one of the pistons begins
+to descend and the other begins to ascend. Consequently, by
+working the lever for a certain space of time, I will finish by
+exhausting the globe of all the air which it contains."</p>
+
+<p>"May I try to exhaust it?" asked Miette, timidly.</p>
+
+<p>"Try your hand, Miss Miette," answered Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>Miette began to work the lever of the air-pump, which she
+did at first very easily, but soon she stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot do it any more," said she.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is too heavy."</p>
+
+<p>"In fact, it is too heavy," said Monsieur Roger; "but tell me,
+what is it that is too heavy?"</p>
+
+<p>Miette sought an answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I do not know. It is the lever or the pistons which have
+become all of a sudden too heavy."</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; that is not it. Neither the lever nor the pistons
+can change their weight."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, what is it that is so heavy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come, now! Try once more, with all your strength."</p>
+
+<p>Miette endeavored to lower the right-hand side of the lever:
+she could not succeed.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said she, "it is, of course, the piston on the left
+which has become too heavy, as I cannot make it rise again."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Miss Miette. It is the piston in the left cylinder
+which cannot rise; but it has not changed its weight, as I said,&mdash;only
+it has now to support a very considerable weight; and it is
+that weight which you cannot combat."</p>
+
+<p>"What weight is it?" said Miette, who did not understand.</p>
+
+<p>"The weight of the air."</p>
+
+<p>"The weight of the air? But what air?"</p>
+
+<p>"The air which is above it,&mdash;the exterior air; the air which
+weighs down this piston, as it weighs us down."</p>
+
+<p>"Does air weigh much?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you are very anxious to know, I will tell you that a wine
+gallon of air weighs about seventy-two grains; and as in the atmosphere&mdash;that
+is to say, in the mass of air which surrounds us&mdash;there
+is a very great number of gallons, you can imagine that it must
+represent a respectable number of pounds. It has been calculated,
+in fact, that each square inch of the surface of the soil supports a
+weight of air of a little more than sixteen pounds."</p>
+
+<p>"But how is that?" cried Miette. "A while ago there was also
+a considerable quantity of air above the piston, and yet I could
+make it go up very easily."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, there was above the piston the same quantity of air as
+now, but there was air also in the globe. Air, like gas, possesses an
+elastic force,&mdash;that is to say, that it constantly endeavors to distend
+its molecules, and presses without ceasing upon the sides of the vase
+which contained it, or upon the surrounding air. Now, when you
+began to work the lever there was still enough air in the globe to
+balance, through its elastic force, the air outside; and, as the piston
+receives an almost equal pressure of air from the atmosphere
+above and from the globe below, it is easily raised and lowered.
+But while you were working the lever you took air out of the
+globe, so that at last there arrived a time when so little air
+remained in this globe that its elastic force acted with little power
+upon the piston. So the piston was submitted to only one pressure,&mdash;that
+of the atmosphere; and, as I have just told you, the
+atmosphere weighs heavy enough to withstand your little strength.
+Still, all the air in the globe is not yet exhausted, and a stronger
+person, like Master Paul, for example, could still be able to conquer
+the resistance of the atmosphere and raise the piston."</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange could not refuse this direct invitation, and he
+approached the air-pump and succeeded in working the lever, though
+with a certain difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Monsieur Roger was seeking among the physical
+instruments which had just arrived. He soon found a glass cylinder,
+whose upper opening was closed by a bit of bladder stretched taut
+and carefully tied upon the edges.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, Master Paul," said he: "we are going to exchange the
+globe for this cylinder, and you will see very readily that the air
+is heavy. Now take away the globe."</p>
+
+<p>But, though Paul tried his best, he could not succeed in obeying
+this order. The globe remained firm in its place.</p>
+
+<p>"That is still another proof of the weight of the air," said
+Monsieur Roger. "The globe is empty of air; and as there is
+no longer any pressure upon it except from outside,&mdash;the pressure
+of the atmosphere,&mdash;Master Paul is unable to raise it."</p>
+
+<p>"He would be able to raise the glass," said Miss Miette, in
+a questioning tone, "but he cannot lift the air above it?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are exactly right. But you are going to see an experiment
+which will prove it. First, however, it will be necessary to
+take away the globe. I am going to ask Miss Miette to turn this
+button, which is called the key of the air-pump."</p>
+
+<p>Miette turned the key, and then they heard a whistling sound.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the air which is entering the globe," said Monsieur Roger.
+"Now Master Paul can take the globe away."</p>
+
+<p>That was true. When Paul took away the globe, Monsieur
+Roger put in its place the cylinder closed by the bit of bladder.
+Then he worked the handle of the machine again. As the air
+was withdrawn from the interior of the cylinder, the membrane
+was heard to crackle. Suddenly it burst, with a sort of explosion, to
+the great surprise of Miette and the amusement of everybody.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" said Miette, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"The matter is," answered Monsieur Roger, "that the exterior air
+weighed so heavily upon the membrane that it split it; and that is
+what I want to show you. The moment arrived when the pressure
+of the atmosphere was no longer counterbalanced by the elastic
+force of the air contained in the cylinder. Then that exhausted
+all the air, and the atmosphere came down with all its weight upon
+the membrane, which, after resisting for a little while, was torn."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it true, Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "that it is with this
+machine that you can make smoke fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, won't you show that to us?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_43_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_43_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><br /><span class="sub">DROPS OF RAIN AND HAMMER OF WATER.</span></h2>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_44_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_44_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"I am very willing to show you that," answered Monsieur Roger;
+"but I must have a candle."</p>
+
+<p>Miette ran to the kitchen and succeeded in obtaining that article
+which was once so common, and which is now so rare, known as a
+candle. Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it under the
+glass globe of the air-pump. Then he asked Paul to make a vacuum.
+At the end of a few minutes the candle went out. Monsieur
+Roger then told Paul to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"Why has the candle gone out?" asked Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it needs air. Master Paul has just exhausted the air
+necessary to the combustion of the candle; but the wick still smokes,
+and we are going to see if the smoke which it produces will rise
+or fall."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody approached the globe, full of curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"It falls," cried Miette, "the smoke falls."</p>
+
+<p>And in fact, instead of rising in the globe, the smoke lowered
+slowly and heavily, and fell upon the glass disk of the air-pump.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "you see that I was right. In
+a vacuum smoke falls: it falls because it no longer finds itself in
+the midst of air which is heavier than it and forms an obstacle to
+its fall. In the same way the cloud in the sky above the château
+would fall if we could exhaust the air which is between it and us."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad that we cannot," cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"And why are you very glad?" asked Madame Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Because, mamma, I don't wish any rain to fall."</p>
+
+<p>"Does Miss Miette think, then," said Monsieur Roger, "that
+if the cloud fell rain would fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," answered Miss Miette, with a certain amount of
+logic. "When the clouds fall they fall in the form of rain."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but supposing that I should exhaust the air which is
+between the cloud and us, the cloud would not fall in a rain, but
+in a single and large mass of water."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Clouds, you doubtless know, are masses of vapor from water.
+Now, when these vapors are sufficiently condensed to acquire a
+certain weight, they can no longer float in the atmosphere, and
+they fall in the form of rain. But they fall in rain because they
+have to traverse the air in order to fall to the ground. Now, the
+air offers such a resistance to this water that it is obliged to separate,
+to divide itself into small drops. If there were no air between
+the water and the ground, the water would not fall in drops of
+rain, but in a mass, like a solid body; and I am going to prove
+that to you, so as to convince Miss Miette."</p>
+
+<p>Among the various instruments unpacked from the box, Monsieur
+Roger chose a round tube of glass, closed at one end, tapering,
+and open at the other end. He introduced into this tube a certain
+quantity of water so as to half fill it. Then he placed the tube
+above a little alcohol lamp, and made the water boil.</p>
+
+<p>"Remark," said he, "how fully and completely the vapors
+from the water, which are formed by the influence of heat, force
+out the air which this tube encloses in escaping by the open end
+of the tube."</p>
+
+<p>When Monsieur Roger judged that there no longer remained
+any air in the tube, he begged Monsieur Dalize to hand him the
+blowpipe. Monsieur Dalize then handed to his friend a little instrument
+of brass, which was composed of three parts,&mdash;a conical tube,
+furnished with a mouth, a hollow cylinder succeeding to the first tube,
+and a second tube, equally conical, but narrower, and placed at right
+angles with the hollow cylinder. This second tube ended in a very
+little opening.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger placed his lips to the opening of the first tube,
+and blew, placing the little opening of the second tube in front of
+the flame of a candle, which Monsieur Dalize had just lit. A long
+and pointed tongue of fire extended itself from the flame of the
+candle. Monsieur Roger placed close to this tongue of fire the
+tapering and open end of the tube in which the water had finished
+boiling. The air, forced out of the blowpipe and thrust upon the
+flame of the candle, bore to this flame a considerable quantity of
+oxygen, which increased the combustion and produced a temperature
+high enough to soften and melt the open extremity of the
+tube, and so seal it hermetically.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," said Monsieur Roger, "by the means which you have
+seen, expelled the air which was contained in this tube, and there
+remains in it only water. In a few moments we will make use of it.
+But it is good to have a comparison under your eyes. I therefore
+ask Miss Miette to take another tube similar to that which I hold."</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is," cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I ask her to put water into it."</p>
+
+<p>"I have done so."</p>
+
+<p>"Lastly, I ask her to turn it over quickly, with her little hand
+placed against its lower side in order to prevent the water from
+falling upon the floor."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette did as she was commanded.  The water fell in
+the tube, dividing itself into drops of more or less size. It was
+like rain in miniature.</p>
+
+<p>"The water, as you have just seen," said Monsieur Roger,
+"has fallen in Miss Miette's tube, dividing itself against the resistance
+of the air. In the tube which I hold, and in which there is
+no longer any air, you will see how water falls."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger turned the tube over, but the water this time
+encountered no resistance from the air. It fell in one mass, and
+struck the bottom of the tube with a dry and metallic sound.</p>
+
+<p>"It made a noise almost like the noise of a hammer," said Paul
+Solange.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," answered Monsieur Roger. "Scientists have given
+this apparatus the name of the water-hammer." And looking at
+Miette, who in her astonishment was examining the tube without
+saying anything, Monsieur Roger added, smiling, "And this hammer
+has struck Miss Miette with surprise."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_45_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_45_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><br /><span class="sub">AMUSING PHYSICS.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_46_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_46_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Hearing Monsieur Roger's jest, Miette raised her head, and
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is very curious to see water fall like that, in a single
+mass; and, besides, it fell quicker than the water in my tube."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course: because it did not encounter the resistance of the
+air. This resistance is very easy to prove; and if Miss Miette
+will give me a sheet of any kind of paper&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette looked at Monsieur Roger, seeming to be slightly
+nettled,&mdash;not by the errand, but by something else.</p>
+
+<p>Then she went in search of a sheet of letter-paper, which she
+brought back to Monsieur Roger. He raised his hand and dropped
+the paper. Instead of falling directly towards the earth, as a piece
+of lead or stone would do, it floated downward from the right to
+the left, gently balanced, and impeded in its fall by the evident
+resistance of the air. When this bit of paper had at last reached
+the ground, Monsieur Roger picked it up, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to squeeze this bit of paper in such a way as to
+make it a paper ball; and I am going to let this paper ball fall
+from the same height as I did the leaf."</p>
+
+<p>The paper ball fell directly in a straight line upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet it was the same sheet," said he, "which has fallen
+so fast. The matter submitted to the action of gravity remains
+the same; there can be no doubt on that point. Therefore, if
+the sheet of paper falls more quickly when it is rolled up into a
+ball, it is certainly because it meets with less resistance from the
+air; and if it meets with less resistance, it is because under this
+form of a ball it presents only a small surface, which allows it easily
+to displace the air in order to pass."</p>
+
+<p>"That is so," said Miss Miette, with a certainty which made
+every one smile.</p>
+
+<p>Miette, astonished at the effect which she had thus produced,
+looked at her friend Paul, who remained silent, but very attentive.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Paul," said she, "is not that certain?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold," returned Monsieur Roger. "I am going to show you
+an example still more convincing of the resistance of the air,&mdash;only
+I must have a pair of scissors; and if Miss Miette will have
+the kindness to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette looked again at Monsieur Roger with a singular
+air. None the less, she ran off in search of the scissors. Then
+Monsieur Roger pulled from his pocket a coin, and with the aid
+of the scissors cut a round bit of paper, a little smaller than the
+coin. That done, he placed the circular bit of paper flat upon the
+coin, in such a manner that it did not overlap, and asked Miss
+Miette to take the coin between her thumb and her finger.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said he, "let it all fall."</p>
+
+<p>Miette opened her fingers, and the coin upon which he had
+placed the bit of paper fell. Coin and paper reached the ground
+at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," asked Monsieur Roger, "does the paper reach the
+ground as soon as the coin?"</p>
+
+<p>And as Miette hesitated to answer, Monsieur Roger continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Because the fall of the bit of paper was not interfered with
+by the resistance of the air."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," cried Miette, "it is the coin which opened the
+way. The paper was preserved by the coin from the resistance
+of the air."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly so," said Monsieur Roger; "and these simple experiments
+have led scientists to ask if in doing away entirely with the
+resistance of the air it would not be possible to abolish the differences
+which may be observed between the falling of various bodies,&mdash;for
+instance, the paper and the coin, a hair and a bit of lead. And
+they have decided that in a vacuum&mdash;that is to say, when the resistance
+of the air is abolished&mdash;the paper and the coin, the
+hair and the lead would fall with exactly the same swiftness;
+all of them would traverse the same space in the
+same time."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_47_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_47_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"The hair falls as fast as lead," said Miette, in a tone
+which seemed to imply, "I would like to see that."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger understood the thought of Miette,
+and answered by saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am going to show you that."</p>
+
+<p>He chose a long tube of glass, closed by bits of metal,
+one of which had a stop-cock. He put in this tube the
+coin, the round bit of paper, a bit of lead, and a strand
+of hair from Miss Miette's head. Then he fastened the
+tube by one of its ends upon the disk of the air-pump
+and worked the pistons. As soon as he thought that
+the vacuum had been made, he closed the stop-cock of
+the tube, to prevent the exterior air from entering. He
+withdrew the tube from the machine, held it vertically, then turned
+it briskly upsidedown. Everybody saw that the paper, the coin,
+the hair, and the lead all arrived at the same time at the bottom
+of the tube. The experiment was conclusive. Then Monsieur
+Roger opened the stop-cock and allowed the air to enter into
+the tube. Again he turned the tube upsidedown: the coin
+and the bit of lead arrived almost together at the bottom of
+the tube, but the paper, and especially the strand of hair, found
+much difficulty on the way and arrived at the bottom much later.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how amusing that is!" cried Miette; "as amusing as
+anything I know. I don't understand why Paul wishes to have
+nothing to do with physical science."</p>
+
+<p>But Miette was mistaken this time, for Paul was now very
+anxious to learn more.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Monsieur Roger, "as all this has not
+wearied you, I am, in order to end to-day, going to make another
+experiment which will not be a bit tiresome, and which, without
+any scientific apparatus, without any air-pump, will demonstrate
+to you for the last time the existence of the pressure, of the weight
+of the atmosphere."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped and looked at Miette, whose good
+temper he was again going to put to the test. Then he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I need a carafe and a hard egg; and if Miss Miette will only
+be kind enough to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>This time Miette seemed still more uneasy than ever, more
+embarrassed, more uncomfortable; still, she fled rapidly towards
+the kitchen. During her absence, Monsieur Roger said to Madame
+Dalize,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miette seems to think that I trouble her a little too often."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not what is annoying her, I am certain," replied
+Madame Dalize; "but I do not understand the true cause. Let
+us wait."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Miette returned, with the carafe in one hand,
+the hard-boiled egg (it was not boiled very hard, however) in
+the other. Monsieur Roger took the shell off the egg and
+placed the egg thus deprived of its shell upon the empty carafe,
+somewhat after the manner of a stopper or cork.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_48_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_48_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"What I want to do," said he, "is to make this egg enter
+the carafe."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Miette; "all you have to do is to push
+from above: you will force the egg down."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but nobody must touch it.  It must not be a hand that
+forces it down, but by weight from above. No, the atmosphere
+must do this."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger took off the egg, and lit a bit of paper, which
+he threw into the empty carafe.</p>
+
+<p>"In order to burn," said he, "this paper is obliged to absorb
+the oxygen of the air in the carafe,&mdash;that is to say, it makes a
+partial vacuum." When the paper had burned for some moments,
+Monsieur Roger replaced the egg upon the carafe's neck, very
+much in the manner you would place a close-fitting ground-glass
+stopper in the neck of a bottle, and immediately they saw the
+egg lengthen, penetrate into the neck of the carafe, and at last
+fall to the bottom. "There," said he, "is atmospheric pressure
+clearly demonstrated. When a partial vacuum had been made in
+the carafe,&mdash;that is to say, when there was not enough air in it
+to counterbalance or resist the pressure of the exterior air,&mdash;this
+exterior air pressed with all its weight upon the egg and forced
+it down in very much the same way as Miss Miette wished me
+to do just now with my hand."</p>
+
+<p>In saying these last words, Monsieur Roger looked towards
+Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"By the way," he said, "I must apologize to you, Miss Miette,
+for having sent you on so many errands. I thought I saw that
+it annoyed you a little bit."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette raised her eyes with much surprise to Monsieur
+Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"But that was not it at all," said she.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what was it?" asked Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>And Miette replied timidly, yet sweetly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I only thought that you might stop calling me Miss. If
+you please, I would like to be one of your very good friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; with very great pleasure, my dear little Miette,"
+cried Monsieur Roger, much moved by this touching and kindly
+delicacy of feeling, and opening his arms to the pretty and obliging
+little child of his friends.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_49_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_49_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a><br /><span class="sub">WHY THE MOON DOES NOT FALL.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_50_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_50_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Next evening Monsieur Roger, as well as his friend Monsieur
+Dalize, seemed to have forgotten completely that there was such a
+thing as physical science. He sat in a corner and chatted about
+this thing and that with Monsieur and Madame Dalize. Still, the
+air-pump was there, and the children touched it, looked at it, and
+examined the different portions of it.</p>
+
+<p>At last there was a conversation in a low tone between Paul
+and Miette, and in the midst of the whispering were heard these
+words, clearly pronounced by the lips of Miette,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Ask him yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Then Monsieur Roger heard Paul answer,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't dare to."</p>
+
+<p>Miette then came forward towards her friend Roger, and said
+to him, without any hesitation,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Paul asks that you will explain to him about the tower?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger remained a moment without understanding,
+then a light struck him, and he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Master Paul wants me to explain to him how I learned
+the height of the tower Heurtebize?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is it," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange made an affirmative sign by a respectful movement
+of the head.</p>
+
+<p>"But," said Monsieur Roger, responding to this sign, "it is
+physical science, my dear Master Paul,&mdash;physical science, you
+know; and, goodness, I was so much afraid of boring you that
+both I and Monsieur Dalize had resolved never to approach this
+subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, sir," said Paul, "all that you have said and shown to
+us was on account of the tower of Heurtebize, and you promised
+me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Monsieur Dalize; "and if you promised,
+you must keep your word. So explain to Paul how you have
+been able, without moving, to learn the exact height of that
+famous tower."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, then, I obey," answered Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>And, addressing himself to Paul, he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You will remember that at the beginning of this conversation
+on gravity I took a little stone and let it fall from my full
+height. It produced a very feeble shock; but I made you remark
+that if it were to fall from a greater height the shock would be
+violent enough to break it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Paul, "I remember."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, of course, you understand that the violence of the
+shock of a body against a fixed obstacle depends upon the rate
+of speed this body possessed at the moment when it encountered
+the obstacle. The higher the distance from which the body falls,
+the more violent is the shock,&mdash;for its swiftness is greater. Now,
+the speed of a falling body becomes greater and greater the longer
+it continues to fall; and, consequently, in falling faster and faster
+it will traverse a greater and greater space in a given interval
+of time. In studying the fall of a body we find that in one second
+it traverses a space of sixteen feet and one inch. In falling for
+two seconds it traverses&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Twice the number of feet," said Miette, with a self-satisfied
+air.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," said Paul; "because it falls faster during the
+second second, and in consequence travels a greater distance."</p>
+
+<p>"Master Paul is right," replied Monsieur Roger. "It has been
+found that in falling for two seconds a body falls sixteen feet and
+one inch multiplied by twice two,&mdash;that is to say, sixty-four feet
+and four inches. In falling three seconds a body traverses sixteen
+feet and one inch multiplied by three times three,&mdash;that is to say,
+by nine. In falling four seconds it traverses sixteen feet and one
+inch multiplied by four times four,&mdash;that is to say, by sixteen;
+and so on. This law of falling bodies which learned men have
+discovered teaches us that in order to calculate the space traversed
+by a body in a certain number of seconds it is necessary to multiply
+sixteen feet and one inch by the arithmetical square of that number
+of seconds. And Master Paul must know, besides, that the square
+of a number is the product obtained by multiplying this number
+by itself."</p>
+
+<p>Paul bent his head.</p>
+
+<p>"And now you must also know," continued Monsieur Roger,
+"how I could calculate the height of the tower of Heurtebize.
+The stone which you let fall, according to my watch, took two
+seconds before it reached the soil. The calculation which I had
+to make was easy, was it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir: it was necessary to multiply sixteen feet and one
+inch by two times two,&mdash;which gives about sixty-four feet and
+four inches as the height of the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, and, as you may judge, it was not a very
+difficult problem."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Monsieur Dalize; "but it was interesting to
+know why the apple fell, and you have taught us."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," cried Miette; "only you have forgotten to tell
+us why the moon does not fall."</p>
+
+<p>"I have not forgotten," said Monsieur Roger; "but I wished
+to avoid speaking of the attraction of the universe. However,
+as Miette obliges me, I shall speak. You see that all earthly
+bodies are subject to a force which has been called gravity, or
+weight. Now, gravity can also be called attraction. By the word
+attraction is meant, in fact, the force which makes all bodies come
+mutually together and adhere together, unless they are separated
+by some other force. This gravity or attraction which the terrestrial
+mass exerts upon the objects placed on its surface is felt
+above the soil to a height that cannot be measured. Learned men
+have, therefore, been led to suppose that this gravity or attraction
+extended beyond the limits which we can reach; that it acted upon
+the stars themselves, only decreasing as they are farther off. This
+supposition allows it to be believed that all the stars are of similar
+phenomena, that there is a gravity or attraction on their surface,
+and that this gravity or attraction acts upon all other celestial
+bodies. With this frame of thought in his mind, Newton at last
+came to believe that all bodies attract each other by the force of
+gravity, that their movements are determined by the force which
+they exert mutually upon one another, and that the system of the
+universe is regulated by a single force,&mdash;gravity, or attraction."</p>
+
+<p>"But that does not explain to us why the moon does not
+fall," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger looked at his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"So you also," said he, smiling,&mdash;"you also are trying to puzzle
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am; but I am only repeating the question whose
+answer Miette is still awaiting."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miette, "I am waiting. Why does not the moon
+fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the moon does not fall because it is launched into
+space with so great a force that it traverses nearly four-fifths of
+a mile a second."</p>
+
+<p>Miette ran to open the door of the vestibule. The park was
+bathed in the mild light of a splendid moon.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it of that moon that you are speaking,&mdash;the moon which
+turns around us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, as we have no other moon."</p>
+
+<p>"And it turns as swiftly as you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes. And do you know why it turns around us, a
+prisoner of that earth from which it seeks continually to fly in a
+straight line? It is because&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped suddenly, with an embarrassed air.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" asked Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I am afraid I have put myself in a very difficult position."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+     <a href="images/illustration_51_high.jpg">
+        <img src="images/illustration_51_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+     </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"I have just undertaken to tell you why the moon does not fall.
+Is not that true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am obliged to tell you that it does fall."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that is another matter!" cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is another matter, as you say; and it is necessary
+that I should speak to you of that other matter. Without that
+how can I make you believe that the moon does not fall and that
+it does fall?"</p>
+
+<p>"That would not be easy," said Miss Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, imagine a ball shot by a cannon. This ball
+would go forever in a straight line and with the same swiftness
+if it were not subject to gravity, to the attraction of the earth.
+This attraction forces the ball to lower itself little by little below
+the straight line to approach the earth. At last the time comes
+when the force of attraction conquers the force which shot the
+ball, and the latter falls to the earth. This example of the ball
+may be applied to the moon, which would go forever in a straight
+line if it were not subject to the attraction of the earth. It shoots
+in a straight line, ready to flee away from us; but suddenly the
+attraction of the earth makes itself felt. Then the moon bends
+downward to approach us, and the straight line which it had
+been ready to traverse is changed to the arc of a circle. Again
+the moon endeavors to depart in a straight line, but the attraction
+is felt again, and brings near to us our unfaithful satellite.
+The same phenomenon goes on forever, and the straight path
+which the moon intended to follow becomes a circular one. It
+falls in every instance towards us, but it falls with exactly
+the same swiftness as that with which it seeks to get away from
+us. Consequently it remains always at the same distance.
+The attraction which prevents the moon from running away
+may be likened to a string tied to the claws of a cockchafer.
+The cockchafer flies, seeking to free itself; the string pulls it
+back towards the child's finger; and very often the circular
+flight which the insect takes around the finger which holds it
+represents exactly the circular flight of the moon around the
+earth."</p>
+
+<p>"But," said Miette, "is there no danger that the moon may
+fall some time?"</p>
+
+<p>"If the moon had been closer to the earth it would have fallen
+long ago; but it is more than two hundred and thirty-eight thousand
+miles away, and, as I have told you, if attraction or gravity acts
+upon the planets, it loses its power in proportion to the distance
+at which they are. The same attraction which forces the moon
+to turn around the earth obliges the earth and the planets to turn
+around the sun; and the sun itself is not immovable. It flies
+through space like all the other stars, bearing us in its train,
+subject also to universal attraction."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped a moment, then he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And it is this great law of universal attraction, this law which
+governs the universe, that Newton discovered when he asked
+himself, 'Why does the apple fall?'"</p>
+
+<p>"Still, as for me," said Miette, "I should not have had that
+idea at all; I should have said quietly to myself, 'The apple fell
+because it was ripe.'"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_52_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_52_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a><br /><span class="sub">A MYSTERIOUS RESEMBLANCE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_53_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_53_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The days passed by at the château of Sainte-Gemme quietly
+and happily. Monsieur Roger, having fulfilled his promise to give
+the explanation of gravity and of attraction, was careful to make no
+allusions to scientific matters. He thought it useful and right to
+let his little hearers find their own pleasures wherever they could.
+One afternoon he saw Miette and Paul leave the house together.
+Paul had two camp-stools, while Miette held her friend's album.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going?" asked Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to sketch," answered Paul: "at the end of
+the park."</p>
+
+<p>Miette put on the air of a martyr, and said to Monsieur Roger,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I think he is going to sketch me."</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; come along," replied Paul.</p>
+
+<p>And Miette ran gayly after Paul.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, Monsieur Roger, in his walk, saw at the turning
+of a pathway lined by young chestnut-trees a scene which brought
+a smile to his lips. Two camp-stools were placed in front of each
+other, some distance apart; upon one of these camp-stools Paul
+was seated, his album and his pencil between his hands; on the
+other camp-stool was Miss Miette, posing for a portrait. Monsieur
+Roger approached.</p>
+
+<p>When Miette saw him, she sat up, and, crossing her little arms,
+cried, with pretended anger,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I told you so: he is going to sketch me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Miette," said Paul, softly, "you have spoiled the pose."</p>
+
+<p>Miette turned towards Paul, and, seeing that she had made
+him angry, returned to her former attitude without saying a word.
+Monsieur Roger looked at Miette, so pretty, so restless by disposition,
+now forcing herself to sit quietly, with an expression of
+determination upon her face that was half serious and half laughing.
+Then he cast his eyes upon Paul's album, but at that moment
+Paul was scratching over with his pencil the sketch which he had
+begun.</p>
+
+<p>"Never," said he, discouraged, "never shall I be able to catch
+her likeness."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not astonishing," replied Monsieur Roger. "I was
+struck at once with the change in her face. Miette in posing
+does not resemble herself any longer."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true, sir; but why is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, because it is possible that it does not amuse her very
+much."</p>
+
+<p>Miette began to laugh.  Monsieur Roger had guessed aright.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, stay like that!" cried Paul, seeing Miette's face lighten
+up with gayety.</p>
+
+<p>"I will remain like this on one condition."</p>
+
+<p>"And what is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"That our friend Roger will remain also with us. I shall
+have some one to whom I can talk, and you, Paul, will make your
+sketch at your ease."</p>
+
+<p>"That is understood," said Monsieur Roger, seating himself
+upon a bank of stones beside the children. At first he lent a
+rather listless ear to Miette's words, for he was thinking of something
+else, and he only uttered a word or two in answer, which,
+however, allowed the little girl to think that she was being listened
+to. His eyes had travelled from the model to the artist. Since
+his arrival at Sainte-Gemme Paul's face had slightly changed: his
+hair, which had been cut short at school, had lengthened, and now
+fell over his forehead, shading the top of his face and giving him
+an expression that was slightly feminine; his large eyes, with long,
+black lashes, went from Miette to the sketch-book with a grave
+attention which the presence of a third party did not trouble at all.
+Roger's looks had rested upon Paul, full of that sympathy which the
+boy had inspired in him the first time he had seen him; but, instead
+of looking elsewhere at the end of a few minutes, his eyes were
+riveted upon Paul's face. He eagerly examined every feature of that
+face, which had suddenly been revealed to him under a new aspect.
+He had become very pale, and his hands trembled slightly. Miette
+perceived this sudden change, and, full of uneasiness, cried out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Recalled to himself by this exclamation, Monsieur Roger shook
+his head, passed his hand over his eyes, and answered, striving to
+smile,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, there is nothing the matter with me, my dear, except
+a slight dizziness, caused by the sun no doubt. Don't be uneasy
+about me. I am going back home."</p>
+
+<p>And Monsieur Roger left them at a rapid pace, cutting across
+the pathway to get out of sight of the children. He walked like
+a crazy man; his eyes were wild, his brain full of a strange and
+impossible idea. When he had reached the other end of the park,
+sure of being alone, sure of not being seen, he stopped; but then
+he felt weak, and he allowed himself to fall upon the grass. For
+a long time he remained motionless, plunged in thought. At last
+he got up, murmuring,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that is impossible. I was a fool."</p>
+
+<p>He was himself again. He had thought over everything, he
+had weighed everything, and he persuaded himself that he had
+been the plaything of a singular hallucination. Still reasoning,
+still talking to himself, he took no notice of where he was going.
+Suddenly he perceived that he was returning to the spot which
+he had left. He stopped, and heard the voice of Miette in the
+distance; then he approached as softly as was possible, walking
+on tiptoe and avoiding the gravel and the falling leaves. One
+wish filled his heart,&mdash;to see Paul again without being seen. He
+walked through the woods towards the side whence the voice had
+made itself heard. The voice of Miette, now very close, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see, Paul. Is it finished?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Paul; "only two minutes more. And this
+time, thanks to Monsieur Roger, it will be something like you."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger, hidden behind branches and leaves, came
+nearer, redoubling his precautions. At last, through an opening in
+the foliage he perceived Paul Solange. He looked at him with
+profound attention until the lad, having started off with Miette,
+was some distance away. When the two children had disappeared,
+Monsieur Roger took the shaded path he had been following and
+went towards the château. He walked slowly, his head bent down,
+his mind a prey to mysterious thoughts. He had seen Paul again,
+and had studied his face, this time appealing to all his coolness, to
+all his reasoning power. And now a violent, unconquerable emotion
+bound him. In vain he tried in his sincerity to believe in a
+too happy and weak illusion, in a too ardent desire, realized only
+in his imagination. No, he was forced to admit that what he had
+just beheld had been seen with the eyes of a reasoning and thinking
+man whose brain was clear and whose mind was not disordered.
+However, this thought which had taken possession of him, this
+overwhelming idea of happiness, was it even admissible? And
+Monsieur Roger, striving to return to the reality, murmured,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_54_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_54_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"It is folly! it is folly!"</p>
+
+<p>Was it not in fact folly which had led him suddenly to recognize
+in the features of Paul Solange those of Madame Roger La Morlière?
+Was it not folly to have noticed a mysterious, surprising,
+and extraordinary resemblance between the face of Paul Solange
+and the sweet one of her who had been the mother of George?
+Yes, it was madness, it was impossible. Yet, in spite of all, Monsieur
+Roger said to himself, deep down in his heart,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If it were my son?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_55_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_55_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a><br /><span class="sub">THE FIXED IDEA.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_56_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_56_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>For some days Monsieur Roger made no allusion to the secret
+which now filled his soul, nor to that strange idea which filled his
+whole brain. He retired into himself, thinking that this folly which
+had suddenly come to him would go away as suddenly, and again
+feeling, in spite of all, the certain loss of a dream which had made
+him so happy. And still, the more he looked at Paul, which he
+did only on the sly, not daring to look him in the face, as formerly,
+for fear of betraying himself, the more and more evident and real
+did the mysterious resemblance appear to him. The Dalize family
+had remarked the absence of mind and the wandering look of Monsieur
+Roger. Still, they thought that that was simply because
+something had reminded him of his sorrows. Even Paul could
+not help taking notice of the new attitude which Monsieur Roger
+had taken up with regard to him. The kindness and sympathy
+which Monsieur Roger had shown him in the first few days of his
+acquaintance had greatly touched the motherless boy, whose father
+was far away on the other side of the ocean.</p>
+
+<p>Now, for some days, it had seemed to Paul that Monsieur
+Roger sought to avoid his presence,&mdash;he neither spoke to him nor
+looked at him. Once only Paul had surprised a look which Monsieur
+Roger had given him, and in this sad look he had discovered
+an affection so profound that it felt to him almost like a paternal
+caress. Yet, Paul was forced to acknowledge that his father had
+never looked at him in that way.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, after dinner, Monsieur Dalize led his friend Roger
+into the garden in front of the house, and said to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Roger, my dear friend, you have made us uneasy for some
+days. Now we are alone. What is the matter with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, nothing is the matter with me," said Monsieur Roger,
+surprised at the question.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly, something is the matter. What has happened
+to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand what you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Roger, you oblige me to tread on delicate ground,&mdash;to ask
+you a painful question."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear friend, the change which we have noticed in
+you for some time is not my fault, is it? Or does it come from
+the surroundings in which you find yourself placed?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand."</p>
+
+<p>"I ask if your grief&mdash;without your knowing it, perhaps&mdash;may not
+have been revived by the happiness which reigns around you? Perhaps
+the presence of these children, who nevertheless love you
+already almost as much as they do me, awakes in your heart a
+terrible remembrance and cruel regrets?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," cried Monsieur Roger; "that is not true. But why
+do you ask me such questions?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, my dear friend, you are mentally ill, and I wish to
+cure you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, I am not. I am not ill either mentally or physically,
+I swear."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't swear," said Monsieur Dalize; "and do me the kindness
+to hide yourself for some moments behind this clump of
+trees. I have witnesses who will convince you that I still have good
+eyes."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize got up, opened the door of the vestibule, and
+called Miette. She ran out gayly.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you wish, papa?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see our friend Roger. Is he not in the parlor with
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he always goes his own way. He does not talk to us
+any longer; and he has had a very funny, sad look for some time.
+He is not the same at all."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_57_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_57_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Very well, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, interrupting the
+little girl. "Go back to the parlor and send me your brother."</p>
+
+<p>Albert soon arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"You wanted me, father?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I want you to repeat to me what you told your mother
+this morning."</p>
+
+<p>Albert thought for a moment; then he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"About Monsieur Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I told mamma that for some time back I have heard
+Monsieur Roger walking all night in his room; only this evening I
+heard him crying."</p>
+
+<p>"That is all that I wish to know, my child. You can go back
+again."</p>
+
+<p>When Monsieur Dalize was alone, he walked around the clump
+of trees to rejoin Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said he, softly, "you have heard. Everybody has
+noticed your grief. Won't you tell me now what it is that you are
+suffering, or what secret is torturing you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I will confide this secret to you," said Monsieur Roger,
+"because you will understand me, and you will not laugh at your
+unhappy friend." And Monsieur Roger told the whole truth to
+his friend Dalize. He told him what a singular fixed idea had
+possessed his brain; he told him of the strange resemblance which
+he thought he had discovered between the features of his dear and
+regretted wife and the face of Paul Solange.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize let his friend pour out his soul to him. He
+said only, with pitying affection, when Monsieur Roger had
+finished,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My poor friend! it is a dream that is very near insanity."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! that is what I tell myself; and still&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And still?" repeated Monsieur Dalize. "You still doubt?
+Come with me."</p>
+
+<p>He re-entered the château with Roger. When he reached the
+parlor he went straight to Paul Solange.</p>
+
+<p>"Paul," said he, "to-morrow is the mail, and I shall write to
+your father."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, sir," answered Paul, "I will give you my letter; maybe
+you can put it in yours."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize seemed to be trying to think of something.</p>
+
+<p>"How long a time is it," said he, "since I have had the pleasure
+of seeing your excellent father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two years, sir; but he will surely come to France this
+winter."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize looked at Roger; then he whispered in his ear,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You have heard."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_58_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_58_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a><br /><span class="sub">FIRE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_59_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_59_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Certainly Monsieur Roger had heard, certainly he tried to
+convince himself; but when his looks fell upon Paul, his reason
+forsook him and he doubted again, and even he hoped. Some
+days passed in a semi-sadness that made every one feel uneasy.
+The children, without knowing why, knew that something had happened
+which troubled the mutual happiness of their life. Monsieur
+and Madame Dalize alone understood and pitied their friend Roger.
+They endeavored to interest him in other things,&mdash;but Monsieur
+Roger refused walks, excursions, and the invitations of the neighbors.
+He had asked Monsieur Dalize to let him alone for a while,
+as he felt the need of solitude.</p>
+
+<p>One morning Albert said to his father,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Father, Paul and I wish to go with a fishing-party to the farm,
+as we did last year. Will you allow us to do so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Monsieur Dalize; "but on one condition."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you take Monsieur Roger with you."</p>
+
+<p>Albert looked at his father, and answered,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Then you refuse?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no,&mdash;I only make that condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, father; but as we cannot fulfil the condition, it is equal
+to a refusal."</p>
+
+<p>"Why cannot you fulfil it? What is there so difficult about
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know as well as I, my dear father, Monsieur Roger has
+been for some time very sad, very preoccupied; he wants to remain
+by himself, and consequently he will refuse to go to the farm."</p>
+
+<p>"Who knows?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, at all events, I would not dare to ask him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, let Paul do it."</p>
+
+<p>"But what would Paul say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will say that I am detained here, that I cannot come with
+you, and that, not thinking it prudent to allow you to go fishing
+alone, I object to it unless Monsieur Roger will consent to take
+my place."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, father," said Albert, in a disappointed tone. "We
+will see whether Paul succeeds; but I am afraid he will not."</p>
+
+<p>But Paul did succeed. Monsieur Roger could not resist the
+request so pleasantly made by the boy. That evening, after dinner,
+they left home to sleep at the farm, which was situated on the
+borders of the River Yonne. They had to get up at daybreak in
+order to begin their fishing. The farmers gave up to Monsieur
+Roger the only spare room they had in the house. Albert and
+Paul had to sleep in what they called the turret. This turret, the
+last mossy vestige of the feudal castle, whose very windows were
+old loop-holes, now furnished with panes of glass, stood against
+one end of the farm-house. It was divided into three stories:
+the first story was a place where they kept hay and straw; in the
+second there slept a young farm-boy; the higher story was reserved
+for another servant, who was just now absent.</p>
+
+<p>"In war we must do as the warriors do," cried Albert, gayly;
+"besides, we have not so long to sleep. You may take whichever
+room you like the best."</p>
+
+<p>"I will take the highest story, if you are willing," answered
+Paul; "the view must be beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the view! through the loop-holes and their blackened
+glasses! However, you can climb up on the old platform of the
+turret if you wish. It is covered with zinc, like the roof of an
+ordinary house; but, all the same, one can walk upon it. Come,
+I will show it to you."</p>
+
+<p>The wooden staircase was easily ascended by the boys. When
+they had reached the room which Paul was to occupy, Albert
+pointed his hand towards the ceiling and made Paul remark a
+large bolt.</p>
+
+<p>"See," said he: "you have only to get upon a chair to draw
+this bolt and to push the trap-door, which gives admission to the
+turret. On the roof you will, in fact, see a beautiful view."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do that to-morrow morning, when I get up," answered
+Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Albert, after he had said good-night to his friend, descended
+the staircase and slept in the bed which the farm-boy had yielded
+to him; the latter was to spend the night upon a bed of hay
+in the first story.</p>
+
+<p>A distant clock in the country had struck twelve. Monsieur
+Roger had opened the window of his room, and, being unable
+to sleep, was thinking, still the prey to the fixed idea, still occupied
+by the strange resemblance; and now the two names of Paul and
+George mingled together in his mind and were applied only to the
+one and the same dear being. Suddenly the odor of smoke came
+to him, brought on the breeze. In the cloudy night he saw nothing,
+and still the smoke grew more and more distinct. Every one was
+asleep at the farm: no light was burning, no sound was heard.
+Monsieur Roger bent over the window-sill and looked uneasily
+around him. The loop-holes of the lower story of the turret were
+illuminated; then sparks escaped from it, soon followed by jets
+of flame. At the same instant the wooden door which opened
+into the yard was violently burst open, and Monsieur Roger saw
+two young people in their night-gowns fleeing together and crying
+with a loud voice. This was all so quick that Monsieur Roger
+had had neither the time nor the thought of calling for help. A
+spasm of fear had seized him, which was calmed, now that Paul
+and Albert were safe; but the alarm had been given, and the farm-hands
+had awakened. But what help could they expect? The
+nearest village was six miles off; the turret would be burned before
+the engines could arrive. Monsieur Roger had run out with the
+others to witness this fire which they could not extinguish. He
+held Albert in his arms, embraced him, and said to him,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But, tell me, where is Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>Albert looked around him.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be here,&mdash;unless fright has made him run away."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he is not here. But you are sure that he ran out of the
+tower, are you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, since it was he who came and shook me in my bed
+while I was asleep."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment a young boy in a night-gown came out of the
+crowd, and, approaching Albert, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No; it was I, sir, who shook you."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger looked at the boy who had just spoken, and
+he felt a horrible fear take possession of him. He saw that it
+was the farm-boy. It must have been he whom he had seen fleeing
+a moment before with Albert. But Paul? Had he remained
+in the turret? And the flames which licked the walls had almost
+reached the floor where Paul was sleeping. Was the poor boy
+still asleep? Had he heard nothing?</p>
+
+<p>"A ladder!" cried Monsieur Roger, with a cry of fear and
+despair.</p>
+
+<p>The ladder was immediately brought; but it was impossible
+to place it against the turret, whose base was in flames.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger in a second had examined the battlements
+which composed the roof. He ran towards the farm-house, climbed
+up the staircase to the top story, opened a trap-door, and found
+himself upon the roof. Crawling on his hands and knees, following
+the ridge of the roof, he reached the turret, and found himself
+even with the story where Paul Solange was asleep. The loop-hole
+was before him. With a blow of his elbow he broke the
+glass; then he cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Paul! Paul!"</p>
+
+<p>Below the people looked at him in mournful silence. No reply
+came from the room; he could see nothing through the darkness.
+Monsieur Roger had a gleam of hope: Paul must have escaped.
+But a sheet of fire higher than the others threw a sudden light
+through the loop-hole on the other side.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger was seized with indescribable anguish.  Paul
+Solange was there in his bed. Was he asleep? Monsieur Roger
+cried out anew with all his force. Paul remained motionless.
+Then Monsieur Roger leaned over the roof, and said to the
+people below,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Cry at the top of your voices! Make a noise!"</p>
+
+<p>But the next moment he made a sign to them to be silent,&mdash;for
+Monsieur Roger had felt somebody crawling behind him, somebody
+who had followed his perilous path. It was Albert Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my friend,&mdash;my poor friend!" cried Monsieur Roger;
+"what can we do? Is it not enough to make you crazy? See!
+the staircase is in flames. You can hardly pass your arm through
+the loop-holes. Whether he wakes or not, he is lost." And then
+he said, with an awful gravity, "Then, it is better he should not
+awake."</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Albert, quickly; "there is an opening at the
+top of the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"There is an opening?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a trap-door, which I showed him only a little while ago,
+before we went to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger raised himself upon the roof to a standing
+position.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing?" cried Albert.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to try to reach the top of the tower."</p>
+
+<p>"It is useless; the bolt opens in the room. Paul only can
+open it."</p>
+
+<p>"Paul can open it."</p>
+
+<p>"If he awakes. But how is it he does not awake?"</p>
+
+<p>And in his turn Albert called to his friend.</p>
+
+<p>Paul made no movement. The flames were gaining, growing
+more and more light, and the smoke was filtering through the
+plank floor and filling the room.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+      <a href="images/illustration_60_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_60_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Ah, I understand," cried Monsieur Roger, "I understand: he
+is not sleeping. That is not sleep,&mdash;that is asphyxia."</p>
+
+<p>"Asphyxia?" repeated Albert, in a voice choked with fear.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was terrible. There was the boy, a prisoner, who
+was going to die under the eyes of those who loved him, and separated
+from them solely by a circle of stone and of fire,&mdash;a circle
+which they could not cross. He was going to die without any
+knowledge that he was dying. Asphyxia held him in a death-like
+trance. Albert saw the floor of the room crack and a tongue
+of flame shoot up, which lighted up the sleeping face of Paul Solange.
+Then he heard a strange cry from a terrified and awful voice. The
+voice cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"George! George!"</p>
+
+<p>And it was Monsieur Roger who had twice called that name.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_61_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_61_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a><br /><span class="sub">SAVED.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_62_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_62_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Albert still looked. Then he saw Paul Solange raise himself
+upon his bed, and, seeing the fire, pass his hands over his eyes
+and his forehead, jump to the floor, reflect a moment, as if endeavoring
+to remember something, then seize a chair, get upon it, and
+pull the bolt of the trap-door. At the same time he remarked that
+Monsieur Roger was no longer near him. Braving the danger,
+Monsieur Roger had jumped from the roof, and succeeded in reaching
+the top of the turret; and now it was he who pulled Paul from
+the trap-door and gathered him up in his arms. The boy had
+fainted. Obeying an order shouted by Albert, two farm-boys
+trusted themselves upon the roof, bringing with them a ladder
+and ropes. Then Monsieur Roger was able to come down with
+his precious burden.</p>
+
+<p>Albert lent his aid to the rescuer, and Paul was taken down
+into the yard. At this moment a carriage arrived, which had
+been driving at the top of its speed. It stopped at the door of
+the farm-house. Monsieur Dalize appeared. From the château
+the flames had been seen by a watchman, who had gone to awake
+his master. Monsieur Dalize, understanding the danger, frightened
+at what might be happening over there in that farm-house on fire,
+under that roof which sheltered his child, his best friend, and Paul
+Solange, had immediately harnessed a horse, with the aid of the
+watchman, and, telling him to say nothing to Madame Dalize, had
+departed at the top of his speed. He arrived in time to see Monsieur
+Roger and Albert, who were bearing Paul with them. He
+approached, trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Paul!" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Calm yourself," Monsieur Roger hastened to say: "he has
+only fainted. It is nothing; but we shall have to take him home."</p>
+
+<p>"The carriage is ready."</p>
+
+<p>"Then everything is for the best."</p>
+
+<p>Paul was seated in the carriage, between Albert and Monsieur
+Roger. The latter had placed his left arm under Paul's head to
+sustain him. The poor child was still insensible; but there could
+be no better remedy for him than the fresh air of the night,&mdash;the
+fresh air which the rapid movement of the carriage caused to
+penetrate into his lungs. Monsieur Dalize, who drove, turned
+around frequently, looking at Roger. The latter held in his right
+hand Paul Solange's hand, and from time to time placed his ear
+against the boy's breast.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" said Monsieur Dalize, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"His pulse is still insensible," answered Monsieur Roger; "but
+stop your horse for a moment."</p>
+
+<p>The carriage stopped. Then, being no longer interfered with
+by the noise, Monsieur Roger again applied his ear, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"His heart beats; it beats very feebly, but it beats.  Now
+go ahead."</p>
+
+<p>Again the carriage started. At the end of some minutes, Monsieur
+Roger, who still held Paul's wrist between his fingers, suddenly
+felt beneath the pulsations of the radial artery. He cried
+out, with a loud voice, but it was a cry of joy,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"He is saved!" he said to Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>At that very moment Paul Solange opened his eyes; but he
+closed them again, as if a heavy sleep, stronger than his will, were
+weighing upon his eyelids. Again he opened them, and looked
+with an undecided look, without understanding. At that moment
+they arrived at the house. Everybody was on foot. The fire at
+the farm had been perceived by others besides the watchman. They
+had all risen from their beds, and Madame Dalize, awakened by
+the noise, had, unfortunately, learned the terrible news. She was
+awaiting in cruel agony the return of her husband. At last she
+saw him driving the carriage and bringing with him the beings who
+were dear to her. Paul, leaning on the arms of Monsieur Roger
+and Albert, was able to cross the slight distance which separated
+them from the vestibule. There Monsieur Roger made him sit
+down in an arm-chair, near the window, which he opened wide.
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize and Albert stood beside Paul, looking
+at him silently and uneasily; but they were reassured by the
+expression of Monsieur Roger. With common accord they left
+him the care of his dear patient. Monsieur Roger was looking
+at Paul with tender eyes,&mdash;an expression of happiness, of joy,
+illumined his face: and this expression, which Monsieur Dalize
+had not seen for long years upon the face of his friend, seemed to
+him incomprehensible, for he was still ignorant of the extraordinary
+thing that had happened. At this moment, Miss Miette, in her
+night-cap, hardly taking time to dress herself, rushed into the
+vestibule. Her childish sleep had been interrupted by the tumult
+in the house. She had run down half awake.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, Mamma," she cried, "what is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Then, as she ran to throw herself upon her mother's knees,
+she saw the arm-chair and Paul sitting in it. She stopped at once,
+and, before they had the time or the thought of stopping her, she
+had taken Paul's hands, saying to him, very sadly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Paul, Paul, are you sick?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul's eyes, which until this time had remained clouded and
+as if fixed upon something which he could not see, turned to Miette.
+Little by little they brightened as his senses returned to him: his
+eyes commenced to sparkle. He looked, and, with a soft but
+weary voice, he murmured,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miette, my little Miette."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_63_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_63_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Then he turned his head, trying to find out where it was he
+found himself, who were the people around him.</p>
+
+<p>"What has happened?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Nobody dared to answer. Everybody waited for Monsieur
+Roger; but Monsieur Roger kept silent. He let nature take care
+of itself. Indeed, he even hid himself slightly behind Monsieur
+Dalize. Paul's looks passed over the faces which were in front
+or beside him; but they did not stop there: they seemed to look
+for something or some one which they did not meet. Then, with
+a sudden movement, Paul bent over a little. He saw Monsieur
+Roger; he started; the blood came back to his face; he tried to
+speak, and could only let fall a few confused words. But, though
+they could not understand his words, what they did understand was
+his gesture. He held out his arms towards Monsieur Roger. The
+latter advanced and clasped Paul Solange in a fatherly embrace.</p>
+
+<p>The effort made by the sick boy had wearied him. He closed his
+eyes in sleep; but this time it was a healthy sleep, a refreshing sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger and Monsieur Dalize took the sleeping Paul
+up to his room. And Miss Miette, as she regained her boudoir,
+said to herself, with astonishment,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is extraordinary! Monsieur Roger embraced Paul as if he
+were his papa."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_64_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_64_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a><br /><span class="sub">GEORGE! GEORGE!</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_65_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_65_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stayed up all the remainder of that night by
+the side of Paul, whose sleep was calm and dreamless, like the
+sleep which succeeds to some strong emotion, some great fatigue.
+Paul was still sleeping in the morning when Monsieur Dalize softly
+turned the handle of the door and entered the room on tiptoe. His
+entrance was made with so much precaution that Monsieur Roger
+himself did not hear him.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize had some seconds in which to observe Roger.
+He saw him sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed upon the child,
+in a thoughtful attitude. Monsieur Roger was studying the delicate
+face which lay upon the pillow. He examined its features one by
+one, and, thinking himself alone, thinking that he would not be
+interrupted in this examination, he was calling up the mysterious
+resemblance with which he had already acquainted his friend. But
+he had not just now begun this study,&mdash;he had pursued it all night.
+The light, however, of the lowered lamp had not been favorable,
+and the emotion which he felt agitated him still too much to leave
+his judgment clear. When the morning sun had risen, chasing
+away all the vague images of the darkness and the doubts of the
+mind. Roger, having recovered his composure, looked at the
+child whom he had saved, and asked himself if the child was not
+his own. He was drawn from these reflections by feeling himself
+touched upon the shoulder. Monsieur Dalize had approached
+and asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Has he passed a good night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Excellent," answered Monsieur Roger, in a low tone; "but
+we must let him sleep as long as he can. Give orders that no
+noise shall be made around here and that no one shall enter. He
+must awake of his own accord. When he awakes he will only feel
+a slight fatigue."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am going to give these orders and tell the good
+news," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>He retired as softly as he had entered, but by accident, near
+the door, he stumbled against a chair. He stopped, holding his
+breath; but Roger made a sign that he could go on. The slight
+noise had not awakened Paul, or at least had not awakened him
+completely; he had turned around upon his bed for the first time
+since he had been placed there. Monsieur Roger, who never
+took his eyes off him, understood that he was dreaming. The
+dream seemed to be a painful one, for some feeble groans and
+murmurs escaped him. Then upon the face of the sleeping child
+appeared an expression of great fear. Monsieur Roger did not
+wish to leave Paul a prey to such a dream. He approached near
+to raise him a little upon the bed. The moment that Monsieur
+Roger's two hands softly touched Paul's head, the expression
+of fear disappeared, the features became quiet and calm, the
+groans ceased, and suddenly there escaped his lips the single word
+"Papa."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger started. With his trembling hands he still
+sustained the child; he bent over, ready to embrace him, forgetting
+that the child was sleeping and dreaming. Monsieur Roger was
+about to utter the name which choked him,&mdash;"My son."</p>
+
+<p>Then Paul Solange opened his eyes. He looked up dreamily;
+then he recognized the face before him, and surprise mingled with
+affection in his tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Roger!" he said.</p>
+
+<p>He looked around him, saw that he was in his own room, and
+remembered nothing else. He asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you here, Monsieur Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>Mastering himself, Monsieur Roger answered that he had come
+to find out how Paul was, as he had seen him suffering the night
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"I, suffering?" asked Paul. Then he sought to remember, and,
+all of a sudden, he cried, "The fire over there at the farm!"</p>
+
+<p>Although his memory had not entirely returned, he recollected
+something. He hesitated to speak. Then, with an anxious voice,
+he asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And Albert?"</p>
+
+<p>"Albert," answered Monsieur Roger, "he is below; and everybody
+is waiting until you come down to breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"Then there were no accidents?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"How fortunate! I will dress myself and be down in a minute."</p>
+
+<p>And, in fact, in a few minutes Paul was ready, and descended
+leaning on Monsieur Roger's arm.</p>
+
+<p>The latter, as they entered the dining-room, made a sign to
+them that they should all keep silence: he did not wish that they
+should fatigue the tired mind of the child with premature questions;
+but when they were sitting at the table, Paul, addressing Albert,
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what passed last night. It is strange I scarcely
+remember."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Madame Dalize: "we are at table for breakfast,
+and we have all need for food,&mdash;you, Paul, above all. Come,
+now, let us eat; a little later we may talk."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_66_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_66_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"It is well said," said Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing to do but to obey. And, indeed, Paul was
+glad to do so, for he was very hungry. He had lost so much
+strength that the stomach for the moment was more interesting to
+him than the brain. They breakfasted, and then they went out upon
+the lawn before the château, under a large walnut-tree, which every
+day gave its hospitable shade to the Dalize family and their guests.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear Paul," said Monsieur Dalize, "how are you at
+present?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, indeed, sir, very well," answered Paul. "I was
+a little feeble when I first awoke, but now,&mdash;now&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He stopped speaking; he seemed lost in thought.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" asked Albert.</p>
+
+<p>"I am thinking of last night at the farm,&mdash;the fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that was nothing," said Albert.</p>
+
+<p>"But," continued Paul, "how did we get back here?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the carriage. Father came for us and brought us home."</p>
+
+<p>"And how did we leave the farm?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger followed with rapt attention the workings of
+Paul's memory. He was waiting in burning anxiety the moment
+when Paul should remember. One principal fact, only one thing
+occupied his attention. Would Paul remember how and by whom
+he had been borne from the torpor which was strangling him?
+Would he remember that cry,&mdash;that name which had had the miraculous
+power to awake him, to bring him back to life? If Paul remembered
+that, then, perhaps&mdash;&mdash; And again Monsieur Roger was
+a prey to his fixed idea,&mdash;to his stroke of folly, as Monsieur Dalize
+called it.</p>
+
+<p>The latter, besides, knew nothing as yet, and Monsieur Roger
+counted upon the sudden revelation of this extraordinary fact to
+shake his conviction. But Paul had repeated his question. He
+asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"How did we leave the farm-house? How were we saved?"</p>
+
+<p>And as Albert did not know whether he should speak, whether
+he should tell everything, Paul continued:</p>
+
+<p>"But speak, explain to me: I am trying to find out. I cannot
+remember; and that gives me pain here." And he touched his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger made a sign to Albert, and the latter spoke:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, do you remember the turret, where we had our rooms?
+You slept above, I below. Do you remember the trap-door that
+I showed you? In the middle of the night I felt myself awakened
+by somebody, and I followed him. In my half sleep I thought that
+this some one was you, my poor friend; but, alas! you remained
+above; you were sleeping without fear. Why, it was Monsieur
+Roger who first saw the danger that you were in."</p>
+
+<p>Paul, while Albert was speaking, had bent his head, seeking in
+his memory and beginning to put in order his scattered thoughts.
+When Albert pronounced the name of Monsieur Roger, Paul raised
+his eyes towards him with a look which showed that he would soon
+remember.</p>
+
+<p>"And afterwards?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"And afterwards Monsieur Roger climbed upon the roof, at
+the risk of his life, and reached the loop-hole which opened into
+your chamber. He broke the glass of the window; but you did
+not hear him: the smoke which was issuing through the floor had
+made you insensible,&mdash;had almost asphyxiated you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I remember!" cried Paul. "I was sleeping, and, at the
+same time, I was not sleeping. I knew that I was exposed to some
+great danger, but I had not the strength to make a movement. I
+seemed paralyzed. I heard cries and confused murmurs, sounds
+of people coming and going. I felt that I ought to rise and flee,
+but that was impossible. My arms, my legs would not obey me;
+my eyelids, which I attempted to open, were of lead. I soon thought
+that everything was finished, that I was lost; and still I was saying
+to myself that I might be raised out of this stupor. It seemed to
+me that the efforts of some one outside might be so, that an order,
+a prayer might give back to my will the power which it had lost;
+but the stupor took hold of me more and more intensely. I was
+going to abandon myself to it, when, all of a sudden, I heard myself
+called. Yes, somebody called me; but not in the same way that
+I have been called before. In that cry there was such a command,
+such a prayer, so much faith, that my will at once recovered strength
+to make my body obey it. I roused myself; I saw and I understood,
+and, luckily, I remembered the trap-door which you had
+shown me. I could scarcely lift it; but there was some one there,&mdash;yes,
+some one who saved me."</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange uttered a great cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said he, "it was Monsieur Roger!" And he ran to
+throw himself into the arms which Monsieur Roger extended to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Miette profited by the occasion to wipe her eyes, which
+this scene had filled with big tears in spite of herself. Then she
+turned to Paul, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But the one who called to you? Was it true? It was not
+a dream?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no; it was some one. But who was it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was Monsieur Roger," answered Albert.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you understood him?" continued Miette, very much
+interested. "And he called you loudly by your name, 'Paul!
+Paul!'"</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange did not answer. This question had suddenly set
+him to thinking. No, he had not heard himself called thus. But
+how had he been called?</p>
+
+<p>Seeing that Paul was silent, Albert answered his little sister's
+question:</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said he, "he called Paul by his name."</p>
+
+<p>Then he interrupted himself, and, remembering all of a sudden:</p>
+
+<p>"No," cried he; "Monsieur Roger called out another name."</p>
+
+<p>"What other name?" asked Monsieur Dalize, much surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"He cried out, 'George! George!'"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize turned his head towards Roger and saw the
+eyes of his friend fixed upon his own. He understood at once.
+Poor Roger was still a slave to the same thought, the same illusion.</p>
+
+<p>Madame Dalize and Miette, who were acquainted with the
+sorrows of Monsieur Roger, imagined that in this moment of trouble
+he had in spite of himself called up the image of his child. Paul,
+very gravely, was dreamily saying to himself that the name of
+George was the name which he had heard, and that it was to
+the sound of this name that he had answered, and he was asking
+himself the mysterious reason for such a fact.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_67_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_67_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a><br /><span class="sub">A PROOF?</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_68_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_68_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize took his friend Roger by the arm, and they
+walked together down one of the solitary pathways of the park.
+When they were some distance off from Madame Dalize and the
+children, Monsieur Dalize stopped, looked his friend squarely in
+the eyes, and said, in a faltering tone,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Then you still think it? You have retained that foolish
+idea? You think that Paul&mdash;&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," interrupted Monsieur Roger, in a firm voice, and without
+avoiding the eyes of his friend, "I think it, and more than
+that." Then, lowering his head, in a softened tone, but without
+hesitation, he said, "I think that Paul is my son."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize looked at his friend with a feeling of real
+pity.</p>
+
+<p>"Your son?" he said. "You think that Paul is your son?
+And on what do you found this improbable, this impossible belief?
+Upon a likeness which your sorrowful spirit persists in tracing.
+Truly, my dear Roger, you grieve me. I thought you had a
+firmer as well as a clearer head. To whom could you confide such
+absurd ideas?"</p>
+
+<p>"To you, in the first place, as I have already done," said Monsieur
+Roger, gravely. "The resemblance which you doubt, and
+which, in fact, seems impossible to prove, is not a resemblance
+which I see between Paul and George, but between Paul and her
+who was his mother; of that I am sure."</p>
+
+<p>"You are sure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and in speaking thus I am in possession of all my senses,
+as you see. Now, would you like to know what further clue I
+have? Perhaps I have one. I will tell it to you."</p>
+
+<p>Here Monsieur Roger interrupted himself.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said he: "you will laugh at me."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak," said Monsieur Dalize. "I am sorry for you, and I
+shall not laugh at your delusion. Speak. I will listen."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "this very morning, when you
+left the room, the noise that you made troubled the sleep of Paul;
+a dream passed through his brain, and I followed all its phases.
+I saw that Paul was going over the terrible scene of the night
+before; I knew that by the terror of his face and by the murmur
+of his lips. He evidently thought himself exposed to danger;
+then it seemed as if he heard something, as if he knew that help
+was at hand. He made a movement, as if to extend his hands,
+and from his mouth came this word, 'Papa.'"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger looked at his friend, who remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>"You have not understood?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but I understood," continued Monsieur Roger; "I
+am certain that I understood. In his dream Paul&mdash;no, no, not
+Paul, but George, my little George&mdash;had heard himself called
+as ten years ago he had been called at the time of the shipwreck,
+during the fire on <ins title="orignal has hyphen in ship-board">shipboard</ins>, and he was answering to
+that call; and it was to no stranger that he was answering; it
+was not to Monsieur Roger; no, it was to his father: it was to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger stopped, seeking some other proof which he
+might furnish to Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>The latter was plunged in thought; his friend's faith commenced
+to shake his doubt. He certainly did not share Roger's
+idea, but he was saying to himself that perhaps this idea was not
+so impossible as it would seem at first sight.</p>
+
+<p>Roger continued, hesitating from the moment he had to pronounce
+the name of Paul Solange:</p>
+
+<p>"You remember exactly the story that Paul told. Were you
+not struck with it? Did not Paul acknowledge that in his torpor,
+in his semi-asphyxia, he had called for help, called to his assistance
+some unknown force which would shake and awake his dazed and
+half-paralyzed will? And did not this help come, this sudden force,
+when he felt himself called? Now, how many times I had cried
+out 'Paul' without waking the child! Paul was not his name; he
+did not hear it. I had to shout to him, making use of his own name,
+his real name. I cried out, 'George!' and George heard and
+understood me. George was saved."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize listened attentively: he was following up a
+train of reasoning. At the end of some moments he answered
+Monsieur Roger, who was awaiting with impatience the result of
+his thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, my poor friend! in spite of all my reason tells me,
+I should like to leave to you your hope, but it is impossible. I
+have seen Paul's father; I know him; I have spoken to him, I
+have touched him; that father is not a shadow,&mdash;he exists in flesh
+and blood. You have heard Paul himself speak of him. In a few
+months he will come to Paris; you will see him; and then you
+will be convinced."</p>
+
+<p>"But have you seen the birth-register of Paul Solange?"
+asked Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"Have I seen it? I may have done so, but I don't remember
+just now."</p>
+
+<p>"But that register must have been made; it must be in France,
+in the hands of some one."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly."</p>
+
+<p>"Where can it be?"</p>
+
+<p>"At the Lyceum, in the dockets of the registrar."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my friend, my dear friend, I must see it. You understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I understand. You wish to have under your own eyes
+the proof of your mistake. You shall have it. As the guardian
+of Paul Solange, I will write the registrar to send me a copy of
+that birth-register. Are you satisfied?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And now, I ask you to be calm, to keep cool."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't be uneasy about me," answered Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>Then the two friends rejoined the group which they had left.</p>
+
+<p>Miette rose when she saw Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" she cried, "Monsieur Roger is going to tell us that."</p>
+
+<p>"That? What?" asked Monsieur Dalize.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what asphyxia is," answered Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my friend," said Monsieur Dalize, turning to Roger, "I
+will leave the word to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," answered Monsieur Roger. "Asphyxia is,&mdash;it
+is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>And as Monsieur Roger was seeking for some easy words
+in which to explain himself, Miette cried out, with a laugh,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you don't know yourself,&mdash;you who know everything?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know it," answered Monsieur Roger, with a smile;
+"but, in order to tell you, I must first explain to you what is the
+formation of the blood, and tell you something of oxygen and
+carbonic acid, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, tell us," cried Miette, "if you think it will interest
+us.&mdash;It will, won't it, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul bent his head.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger saw this gesture, and replied,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, I am going to tell you."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_69_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_69_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a><br /><span class="sub">THE AIR AND THE LUNGS.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_70_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_70_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"In order to live," continued Monsieur Roger, "you must
+breathe. You don't doubt that?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Miss Miette, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, respiration consists in the absorption by the blood of
+some of the oxygen of the air and in breathing out carbonic acid.
+The oxygen, in combining with the carbon and hydrogen of the
+blood, excites a real combustion in the lungs, which results in the
+production of heat and in the exhalation of vapor and carbonic
+acid."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger was going to continue in the same scientific
+tone, when Monsieur Dalize remarked to him that his explanation
+did not seem to be at all understood by the children.</p>
+
+<p>The latter, a little embarrassed, held their tongues.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," replied Monsieur Roger, addressing Monsieur
+Dalize; "that is a silence which is certainly not very flattering.
+I intend to profit by this lesson by beginning once more at the
+beginning."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, respiration is the very important function whose
+object is to introduce air into our lungs.</p>
+
+<p>"What are the lungs, and why is it necessary to introduce
+air into them? And, in the first place, how is this air introduced?
+Through the mouth and through the nose. Then it passes through
+the larynx and arrives at a large tube, which is called the trachea,
+or wind-pipe. It is this tube which, as I shall show you, forms
+the two lungs. As it enters the chest, this tube branches out into
+two smaller tubes, which are called the primary bronches. One
+of these bronches goes to the right, to make the right lung; the
+other to the left, to make the left lung. Each primary bronche
+is soon divided into a number of little tubes, called secondary
+bronches. The secondary bronches divide up into a number of
+other tubes, which are still smaller; and so on, and so on. Imagine
+a tree with two branches, one spreading towards the right, and
+the other towards the left. Upon these two branches grow
+other branches; upon these other branches still others, and so
+on. The branches become smaller and smaller until they become
+mere twigs. Now, imagine these twigs ending in leaves, and
+you will have some idea of that which is sometimes called the
+pulmonary tree, with its thousand branches."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Miette: "bronches."</p>
+
+<p>"Bronches,&mdash;you are right," said Monsieur Roger, who could
+not help smiling at Miss Miette. "The tree which I have taken
+as a comparison finishes by dividing itself into twigs, which, as I
+have said, end in leaves. But you know, of course, that the
+twigs of the pulmonary tree in our breast do not end in leaves.
+They end in a sort of very small cells, surrounded by very thin
+walls. These cells are so small that they need a microscope to
+detect them, and their walls are very, very thin; the cells are
+all stuck fast together, and together they constitute a spongy mass,
+which is the lung. Now let us pass to the second question: Why
+is it necessary to introduce air into the lungs?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miette; "let us pass to that."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_71_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_71_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"The blood, in going out of the heart, circulates to all the
+parts of the body in order to make necessary repairs; at the same
+time it charges itself with all the old matter which has been used
+up and is no longer any good and carries it along. Now, what
+is it going to do with this old matter? It will burn it. Where
+will it burn it? In the lungs. Now, there can be no combustion
+when there is no air. The blood, wishing to burn its waste matter,
+and wishing also to purify the alimentary principles which the
+veins have drawn from the
+stomach,  has  need  of  air.
+Where will it find it? In the
+lungs.  And that is why it
+is necessary to introduce air
+into our lungs, or, in other
+words, that is why we breathe.
+The lungs are a simple intermediary
+between the air and
+the blood.  Among the cells of
+the lungs veins finer than hair
+wind and turn.  These veins
+gather up the blood filled with
+waste
+matter. It is blood of a black color,
+which is called venous blood. The walls
+of the veins which transport the blood are
+so thin that air, under the atmospheric
+pressure,&mdash;this pressure which I have told
+you all about,&mdash;passes through them and
+into the blood. Then the venous blood
+charges itself with the oxygen contained
+in the air, and frees itself from what I
+have called its waste material, and which is nothing less than
+carbon. Immediately its aspect changes. This venous blood becomes
+what is called arterial blood; this black blood becomes
+rich vermilion,&mdash;it is regenerated. It goes out again to carry life to
+all our organs. Now, this time," asked Monsieur Roger, pausing,
+"have I made myself understood?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_72_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_72_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miette, speaking both for Paul and for herself;
+"yes, we have understood,&mdash;except when you speak of oxygen,
+of carbon, and of combustion."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I was wrong to speak of them," answered Monsieur
+Roger, pretending to be vexed.</p>
+
+<p>"That may be," answered Miss Miette, very calmly; "but as
+you did speak of them, you must tell us what they are."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you must, my friend," remarked Monsieur Dalize, taking
+sides with his little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Mustn't he, papa? mustn't Monsieur Roger explain?" asked
+Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, now," said Monsieur Roger, in a resigned tone. "You
+must know, then, that air is composed of two gases,&mdash;oxygen
+and nitrogen; therefore, when we breathe, we send into our lungs
+oxygen and nitrogen. You might think, when we throw out this air,
+when we exhale,&mdash;you might think, I say, that this air coming out
+of our lungs is still composed of oxygen and of nitrogen in the same
+proportions. Now, it is not so at all. The quantity of nitrogen
+has not varied, but, in the first place, there is less oxygen, and there
+is another gas,&mdash;carbonic acid gas; where, then, is the oxygen
+which we have not exhaled, and whence comes this carbonic acid
+which we did not inhale? Then, besides, in the air exhaled there
+is vapor. Where does that come from? These phenomena result
+from the combustion of which I speak; but, in order that you
+should understand how this combustion occurs, I must explain to
+you what is oxygen and what is nitrogen. And as it is a long
+story, you must let me put it off till this evening; then I will talk
+until you are weary, my dear little Miette."</p>
+
+<p>Miette looked at Albert and Paul, and answered for them with
+remarkable frankness:</p>
+
+<p>"It will be only right if you do weary us. It is we who asked
+you, and, besides, we have so often wearied you that it is only
+right you should have your revenge on us. Still&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Still, what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Still, we can trust you," added Miette, laughing, and throwing
+her arms around Roger's neck.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_73_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_73_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a><br /><span class="sub">OXYGEN.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_74_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_74_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"We were saying that oxygen&mdash;&mdash;" cried Miss Miette, with a
+smile, that evening, after dinner, seeing that Monsieur Roger had
+completely forgotten his promise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, as he wished to distract
+his friend from sad thoughts; "yes, my dear Roger, we were
+saying that oxygen&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is a gas," continued Monsieur Roger, good-humoredly.
+"Yes, it is a gas; and Miette, I suppose, will want to ask me,
+'What is gas?'"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is only recently that we have found out, although the
+old scientists, who called themselves alchemists, had remarked that
+besides those things that come within reach of our senses there
+also exists something invisible, impalpable; and, as their scientific
+methods did not enable them to detect this thing, they had considered
+it a portion of the spirit land; and indeed some of the
+names which they adopted under this idea still remain in common
+use. Don't we often call alcohol 'spirits of wine'? As these
+ancients did not see the air which surrounded them, it was difficult
+for them to know that men live in an ocean of gas, in the same
+way as fish live in water; and they could not imagine that air is
+a matter just as much as water is. You remember that universal
+gravitation was discovered through&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The fall of an apple," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and that was something that every one knew; it
+was a very common fact that an apple would fall. Well, it was
+another common fact, another well-known thing, which enabled the
+Fleming Van Helmont to discover in the seventeenth century the
+real existence of gases, or at least of a gas. Van Helmont, one
+winter evening, was struck by the difference between the bulk
+of the wood which burned on his hearth and the bulk of the ashes
+left by the wood after its combustion. He wished to examine
+into this phenomenon, and he made some experiments. He readily
+found that sixty-two pounds of charcoal left, after combustion, only
+one pound of ashes. Now, what had become of the other sixty-one
+pounds? Reason showed him that they had been transformed into
+something invisible, or, according to the language of the times,
+into some aërial spirit. This something Van Helmont called
+'gaast,' which in Flemish means spirit, and which is the same
+word as our ghost. From the word gaast we have made our
+word gas. The gas which Van Helmont discovered was, as we
+now know, carbonic acid. This scientist made another experiment
+which caused him to think a good deal, but which he could not
+explain. Now, we can repeat this experiment, if it will give you
+any pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said Miette; "what shall I bring you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only two things,&mdash;a soup-plate and a candle."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it in the middle of
+the soup-plate, which he had filled with water.  Then he sought
+among the instruments which had come with the air-pump, and
+found a little glass globe.  He placed the globe over the candle
+in the middle of the plate. Very soon, as if by a species of suction,
+the water of the plate rose in the globe; then the candle went
+out.</p>
+
+<p>"Can Miss Miette explain to me what she has just seen?"
+said Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_75_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_75_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>Miette reflected, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"As the water rose in the globe, it must have been because
+the air had left the globe, since the water came to take its
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Monsieur Roger; "but the air could not
+leave the globe, as there is no opening in the globe on top, and
+below it there is water. It did not leave the globe, but it
+diminished. Now, tell me why it diminished."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I cannot tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Van Helmont was in just your position. He could
+not know anything about the cause of this diminution, because he
+was ignorant of the composition of the air, which was not discovered
+until the next century by the celebrated French chemist Lavoisier.
+Now, this is how Lavoisier arrived at this important discovery. In
+the first place, he knew that metals, when they are calcined,&mdash;that
+is to say, when they are exposed to the action of fire,&mdash;increase
+in weight. This fact had been remarked before his time by Dr.
+Jehan Rey, under the following circumstances: A druggist named
+Brun came one day to consult the doctor. Rey asked to be allowed
+to feel his pulse.</p>
+
+<p>"'But I am not sick,' cried the druggist.</p>
+
+<p>"'Then what are you doing here?' said the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"'I come to consult you.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Then you must be sick.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Not at all. I come to consult you not for sickness, but in
+regard to an extraordinary thing which occurred in my laboratory.'</p>
+
+<p>"'What was it?' asked Rey, beginning to be interested.</p>
+
+<p>"'I had to calcine two pounds six ounces of tin. I weighed
+it carefully and then calcined it, and after the operation I weighed
+it again by chance, and what was my astonishment to find two
+pounds and thirteen ounces! Whence come these extra seven
+ounces? That is what I could not explain to myself, and that
+is why I came to consult you.'</p>
+
+<p>"Rey tried the same experiment again and again, and finally
+concluded that the increase of weight came from combination with
+some part of the air.</p>
+
+<p>"It is probable that this explanation did not satisfy the druggist;
+and yet the doctor was right. The increase came from the combination
+of the metal with that part of the air which Lavoisier called
+oxygen. That great chemist, after long study, declared that air
+was not a simple body, but that it was a composite formed of two
+bodies, of two gases,&mdash;oxygen and nitrogen. This opinion, running
+counter as it did to all preconceived ideas, raised a storm
+around the head of the learned man. He was looked upon as a
+fool, as an imbecile, as an ignoramus. That is the usual way.</p>
+
+<p>"Lavoisier resolved to show to the unbelievers the two
+bodies whose existence he had announced. In the experiment
+of increasing the weight of metals during calcination, an experiment
+which has been often repeated since Jehan Rey's time, either
+tin or lead had always been used. Now, these metals, during
+calcination, absorb a good deal of oxygen from the air, but,
+once they have absorbed it, they do not give it up again. Lavoisier
+abandoned tin and lead, and made use of a liquid metal called mercury.
+Mercury possesses not only the property of combining with
+the oxygen of the air when it is heated, but also that of giving
+back this oxygen as soon as the boiling-point is passed. The
+chemist put mercury in a glass retort whose neck was very long
+and bent over twice. The retort was placed upon an oven in such
+a way that the bent end of the neck opened into the top of the globe
+full of air, placed in a tube also full of mercury. By means of a
+bent tube, a little air had been sucked out of the globe in such a
+way that the mercury in the tube, finding the pressure diminished,
+had risen a slight distance in the globe. In this manner the height
+of the mercury in the globe was very readily seen. The level of
+the mercury in the globe was noted exactly, as well as the temperature
+and the pressure. Everything being now ready for the
+experiment, Lavoisier heated the mercury in the retort to the boiling-point,
+and kept it on the fire for twelve days. The mercury
+became covered with red pellicles, whose number increased towards
+the seventh and eighth days; at the end of the twelfth day, as
+the pellicles did not increase, Lavoisier discontinued the heat.
+Then he found out that the mercury had risen in the globe
+much higher than before he had begun the experiment, which
+indicated that the air contained in the globe had diminished. The
+air which remained in the globe had become a gas which was
+unfit either for combustion or for respiration; in fact, it was
+nitrogen.  But the air which had disappeared from the globe,
+where had it gone to?  What had become of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miette, "it is like the air of our globe just now.
+Where has it gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a moment. Let us confine ourselves to Lavoisier's
+experiment."</p>
+
+<p>"We are listening."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Lavoisier decided that the air which had disappeared
+could not have escaped from the globe, because that was closed
+on all sides. He examined the mercury. It seemed in very much
+the same state. What difference was there? None, excepting
+the red pellicles. Then it was in the pellicles that he must seek
+for the air which had disappeared. So the red pellicles were
+taken up and heated in a little retort, furnished with a tube which
+could gather the gas; under the action of heat the pellicles
+were decomposed. Lavoisier obtained mercury and a gas. The
+quantity of gas which he obtained represented the exact difference
+between the original bulk of the air in the globe and the bulk of
+the gas which the globe held at the end of the experiment. Therefore
+Lavoisier had not been deceived. The air which had disappeared
+from the globe had been found. This gas restored from
+the red pellicles was much better fitted than the air of the atmosphere
+for combustion and respiration. When a candle was placed
+in it, it burned with a dazzling light. A piece of charcoal, instead
+of consuming quietly, as in ordinary air, burned with a flame and
+with a sort of crackling sound, and with a light so strong that
+the eye could hardly bear it. That gas was oxygen."</p>
+
+<p>"And so the doubters were convinced," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Or at least they ought to have been," added Monsieur Dalize,
+philosophically.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_76_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_76_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a><br /><span class="sub">WHY WATER PUTS OUT FIRE.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_77_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_77_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>"You have never seen oxygen any more than you have seen
+air," continued Monsieur Roger. "You have never seen it, and
+you never will see it with your eyes,&mdash;for those organs are very
+imperfect. I need not therefore say oxygen is a colorless gas;
+and yet I will say it to you by force of habit. All books of chemistry
+begin in this way. Besides this, it is without smell and without
+taste. Oxygen is extremely well fitted for combustion. A half-extinguished
+candle&mdash;that is, one whose wick is still burning but
+without flame&mdash;will relight instantly if placed in a globe full of
+oxygen. Almost all the metals, except the precious metals, such
+as gold, silver, and platinum, burn, or oxydize more or less rapidly,
+when they are put in contact with oxygen; for, besides those
+lively combustions, in which metals, or other materials, become hot
+and are maintained in a state of incandescence, there are other
+kinds of burning which may be called slow combustions. You
+have often had under your eyes, without knowing it, examples
+of these slow combustions. For example, you have seen bits of
+iron left in the air, or in the water, and covered with a dark-red
+or light-red matter."</p>
+
+<p>"That is rust," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is what they call rust; and this rust is nothing less
+than the product of the combustion of the iron. The oxygen
+which is found in the air, or the water, has come in contact with
+the bit of iron and has made it burn. It is a slow combustion,
+without flames, but it nevertheless releases some heat. Verdigris,
+in some of its forms, is nothing less than the product of the
+combustion&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Of copper," interrupted Miette again.</p>
+
+<p>"Miette has said it. These metals burn when they come in
+contact with the oxygen of the air,&mdash;or, in the language of science,
+they are oxydized; and this oxydation is simple combustion. Therefore,
+oxygen is the principal agent in combustion. The process
+which we call burning is due to the oxygen uniting itself to some
+combustible body. There is no doubt on that subject, for it has
+been found that the weight of the products of combustion is equal
+to the sum of the weight of the body which burns and that of
+the oxygen which combines with it. In the experiment which we
+have made, if the oxygen has diminished in the globe, if it seems
+to have disappeared, it is because it has united itself and combined
+with the carbon of the candle to form the flame. In the
+same way in Lavoisier's experiment it had combined itself with the
+mercury to form the red pellicles. The candle had gone out when
+all the oxygen in the globe had been absorbed; the red pellicles
+had ceased to form when they found no more oxygen. In this way
+Lavoisier discovered that the air was formed of a mixture of two
+gases: the first was oxygen, of which we have just spoken; the
+second was nitrogen. The nitrogen, which is also a colorless,
+odorless, and tasteless gas, possesses some qualities that are precisely
+contrary to those of oxygen. Oxygen is the agent of combustion.
+Nitrogen extinguishes bodies in combustion. Oxygen is
+a gas indispensable to our existence, with which our lungs breathe,
+and which revives our being. The nitrogen, on the contrary, contains
+no properties that are directly useful to the body. Animals
+placed in a globe full of nitrogen perish of asphyxia. In other
+words, they drown in the gas, or are smothered by it. I suppose
+you will ask me what is the use of this gas, and why it enters
+into the composition of the air? You will ask it with all the
+more curiosity when you know that the air contains four times as
+much nitrogen as oxygen; to be exact, a hundred cubic feet of
+air contains seventy-nine cubic feet of nitrogen and twenty-one
+cubic feet of oxygen. Now, the important part that nitrogen plays
+is to moderate the action of the oxygen in respiration. You may
+compare this nitrogen mixed with oxygen to the water which you
+put in a glass of wine to temper it. Nitrogen possesses also
+another property which is more general: it is one of the essential
+elements in a certain number of mineral and vegetable substances
+and the larger portion of animal substances. There are certain
+compounds containing nitrogen which are indispensable to our
+food. An animal nourished entirely on food which is destitute
+of nitrogen would become weak and would soon die."</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, Monsieur Roger," said Albert Dalize: "how can
+nitrogen enter into our food?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is a very good question," added Miette, laughing;
+"surely you cannot eat nitrogen and you cannot eat gas."</p>
+
+<p>"The question is indeed a very sensible one," answered Monsieur
+Roger; "but this is how nitrogen enters into our food.
+We are carnivorous, are we not? we eat meat and flesh of animals.
+And what flesh do we chiefly eat? The flesh of sheep and of
+cattle. Sheep and cattle are herbivorous: they feed on herbs, on
+vegetables. Now, vegetables contain nitrogen. They have taken
+this nitrogen, either directly or indirectly, from the atmosphere and
+have fixed it in their tissues. Herbivorous animals, in eating vegetables,
+eat nitrogen, and we, who are carnivorous, we also eat
+nitrogen, since we eat the herbivorous animals. We also eat vegetable
+food, many kinds of which contain more or less nitrogen.
+Do you understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I understand," said Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"There is nobody living who really understands this matter
+very well, for it is an extremely obscure, though very important,
+subject," replied Monsieur Roger. "But, to resume our explanation.
+Besides oxygen and nitrogen, there is also in the air
+a little carbonic acid and vapor. The carbonic acid will bring us
+back to the point from which we started,&mdash;the phenomenon of
+breathing. Carbonic acid is a gas formed by oxygen and carbon.
+The carbon is a body which is found under a large variety of
+forms. It has two or more varieties,&mdash;it is either pure or mixed
+with impurities. Its varieties can be united in two groups. The
+first group comprises the diamond and graphite, or plumbago,
+which are natural carbon. The second group comprises coal,
+charcoal, and the soot of a chimney, which we may call, for convenience,
+artificial carbon. When oxygen finds itself in contact
+with carbonaceous matter,&mdash;that is to say, with matter that
+contains carbon,&mdash;and when the surrounding temperature has
+reached the proper degree of heat, carbonic acid begins to be
+formed. In the oven and the furnace, coal and charcoal mingle
+with the oxygen of the air and give the necessary heat; but it is
+first necessary that by the aid of a match, paper, and kindling-wood
+you should have furnished the temperature at which oxygen
+can join with the carbon in order to burn it. That is what we
+may call an active or a live combustion; but there can also be
+a slow combustion of carbon,&mdash;a combustion without flame, and
+still giving out heat. It is this combustion which goes on in
+our body by means of respiration."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, now we have come around to it!" cried Miette. "That
+is the very thing I was inquiring about."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now that we have come around to it," answered Monsieur
+Roger, "tell me what I began to say to you on the subject
+of respiration."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not very difficult," answered Miette, in her quiet
+manner. "You told us that we swallowed oxygen and gave out
+carbonic acid; and you also said, 'Whence comes this carbonic
+acid? From combustion.' That is why I said, just now, 'We have
+come around to it.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Very good,&mdash;very good, indeed, only we do not <i>swallow</i>
+oxygen, but we <i>inhale</i> it," said Monsieur Dalize, charmed with the
+cleverness of his little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, is the cause of this production of carbonic acid?"
+continued Monsieur Roger. "You don't know? Well, I am going
+to tell you. The oxygen of the air which we breathe arrives into
+our lungs and finds itself in contact with the carbon in the black
+or venous blood. The carbon contained here joins with the
+oxygen, and forms the carbonic acid which we breathe out. This
+is a real, a slow combustion which takes place not only in our
+lungs,&mdash;as I said at first, in order not to make the explanation too
+difficult,&mdash;but also in all the different portions of our body. The
+air composed of oxygen and nitrogen&mdash;for the nitrogen enters
+naturally with the oxygen&mdash;penetrates into the pulmonary cells,
+spreads itself through the blood, and is borne through the numberless
+little capillary vessels. It is in these little vessels that combustion
+takes place,&mdash;that is to say, that the oxygen unites with
+the carbon and that carbonic acid is formed. This carbonic acid
+circulates, dissolved in the blood, until it can escape out of it. It
+is in the lungs that it finds liberty. When it arrives there it
+escapes from the blood, is exhaled, and is at once replaced by
+the new oxygen and the new nitrogen which arrive from outside.
+The nitrogen absorbed in aspiration at the same time as the
+oxygen is found to be of very much the same quantity when it
+goes out. There has therefore been no appreciable absorption of
+nitrogen. Now, this slow combustion causes the heat of our
+body; in fact, what is called the animal-heat is due to the caloric
+set free at the moment when the oxygen is converted into carbonic
+acid, in the same way as in all combustion of carbon. In conclusion,
+I will remind you that our digestion is exercised on two
+sorts of food,&mdash;nitrogenous food and carbonaceous food. Nitrogenous
+food&mdash;like fibrin, which is the chief substance in flesh;
+albumen, which is the principal substance of the egg; caseine, the
+principal substance of milk; legumine, of peas and beans&mdash;is
+assimilated in our organs, which they regenerate, which they rebuild
+continually. Carbonaceous foods&mdash;like the starch of the
+potato, of sugar, alcohol, oils, and the fat of animals&mdash;do not assimilate;
+they do not increase at all the substance of our muscles
+or the solidity of our bones. It is they which are burned and
+which aid in burning those waste materials of the venous blood
+of which I have already spoken. Still, many starchy foods do
+contain some nutritive principles, but in very small quantity.
+You will understand how little when you know that you would
+have to eat about fifteen pounds of potatoes to give your body
+the force that would be given it by a single pound of beef."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Miette, "I don't like beef; but fifteen pounds of
+potatoes,&mdash;I would care still less to eat so much at once."</p>
+
+<p>"All the less that they would fatten you perceptibly," replied
+Monsieur Roger; "in fact, it is the carbonaceous foods which
+fatten. If they are introduced into the body in too great a quantity,
+they do not find enough oxygen to burn them, and they are
+deposited in the adipose or fatty tissue, where they will be useless
+and often harmful. You see how indispensable oxygen is to human
+life, and you now understand that if respiration does not go on
+with regularity, if the oxygen of your room should become exhausted,
+if the lungs were filled with carbonic acid produced by
+the combustion of fuel outside the body, there would follow at first
+a great deal of difficulty in breathing, then fainting, torpor, and,
+finally, asphyxia."</p>
+
+<p>These last words, pronounced by Monsieur Roger with much
+emotion, brought before them a remembrance so recent and so
+terrible that all remained silent and thoughtful. It was Miss Miette
+who first broke the spell by asking a new question of her friend
+Roger. Asphyxia had recalled to her the fire. Then she had
+thought of the manner of extinguishing fire, and she said, all of
+a sudden, her idea translating itself upon her lips almost without
+consciousness,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why does water extinguish fire?"</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger, drawn out of his thoughts by this question,
+raised his head, looked at Miette, and said to her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In the first place, do you know what water is?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but you were going to tell me."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. The celebrated Lavoisier, after having shown that
+air is not a simple body, but that it is composed of two gases, next
+turned his attention to the study of water, which was also, up to
+that time, considered to be an element; that is, a simple body.
+He studied it so skilfully that he succeeded in showing that water
+was formed by the combination of two gases."</p>
+
+<p>"Of two gases!&mdash;water?" cried Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, of two gases. One of these gases is oxygen,
+which we have already spoken of, and the other is hydrogen."</p>
+
+<p>"Which we are going to speak of," added Miette.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," answered Monsieur Roger, "since you wish it.
+But it was not Lavoisier, however, who first discovered hydrogen.
+This gas had been discovered before his time by the chemists
+Paracelsus and Boyle, who had found out that in placing iron or
+zinc in contact with an acid called sulphuric acid, there was disengaged
+an air "like a breath." This air "like a breath" is what
+we now call hydrogen. Lavoisier, with the assistance of the
+chemist Meusnier, proved that it was this gas which in combining
+with oxygen formed water. In order to do this he blew
+a current of hydrogen into a retort filled with oxygen. As this
+hydrogen penetrated into the retort, he set fire to it by means
+of electric sparks. Two stop-cocks regulated the proper proportions
+of the oxygen and the hydrogen in the retort. When the
+combustion took place, they saw water form in drops upon the
+sides of the retort and unite at the bottom. Water was therefore
+the product of the combination of hydrogen with oxygen. The following
+anecdote is told in regard to this combination. A chemist
+of the last century, who was fond of flattery, was engaged to give
+some lessons to a young prince of the blood royal. When he
+came to explain the composition of water, he prepared before his
+scholar the necessary apparatus for making the combination of
+hydrogen and oxygen, and, at the moment when he was about to
+send the electric spark into the retort, he said, bowing his head,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_78_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_78_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"'If it please your Royal Highness, this hydrogen and oxygen
+are about to have the honor of combining before you.'</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know if the hydrogen and the oxygen were aware
+of the honor which was being done them; but certainly they
+combined with no more manners than if their spectator was an
+ordinary boy. Now, I may add, you must not confound combinations
+with mixtures; thus, air is a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen,
+while water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. This combination
+is a union of the molecules of the two gases which produces
+a composite body formed of new molecules. These new
+molecules are water. Now, this last word recalls to me Miette's
+question."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the latter: "why does water put out fire?"</p>
+
+<p>"There are two reasons for this phenomenon," said Monsieur
+Roger: "the first is that water thrown upon the fire forms around
+the matter in combustion a thick cloud, or vapor, which prevents
+the air from reaching it.  The wood, which was burning&mdash;that is
+to say, which was mingling with the oxygen of the air&mdash;finds its
+communication intercepted. The humid vapor has interposed between
+the carbon of the wood and the oxygen of the air; therefore,
+the combustion is forced to stop. Further, water falling
+upon the fire is transformed, as you very well know, into vapor,
+or steam. Now, this conversion into vapor necessitates the taking
+up of a certain quantity of heat. This heat is taken away from
+the body which is being burned, and that body is thus made
+much cooler; the combustion therefore becomes less active, and
+the fire is at last extinguished."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good," said Miette; "but still another question, and
+I will let you alone."</p>
+
+<p>"You promise?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, what is your last question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why is a candle put out by blowing on it, and why do they
+light a fire by doing the same thing?"</p>
+
+<p>"In these two cases there are two very different actions," replied
+Monsieur Roger: "in the first there is a mechanical action,
+and in the second a chemical action. In blowing upon a candle
+the violence of the air which you send out of your mouth detaches
+a flame which holds on only to the wick. The burning particles
+of this wick are blown away, and consequently the combustion is
+stopped. But the case is very different when you blow with a
+bellows or with your mouth upon the fire in the stove. There the
+substance in combustion, whether wood or coal, is a mass large
+enough to resist the violence of the current of air you throw in, and
+it profits from the air which you send to it so abundantly, by taking
+the oxygen which it contains and burning up still more briskly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, that is the answer to your last question; and I must beg
+you to remember your promise, and
+ask me no more hard questions to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, friend Roger," said Miette,
+"I will leave you alone; you may go
+to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"And it will be a well-earned
+sleep," added Madame Dalize, with
+the assent of every one.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_79_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_79_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a><br /><span class="sub">PAUL OR GEORGE?</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_80_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_80_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>At the end of this long talk every one rose. Monsieur and
+Madame Dalize, with Monsieur Roger and Albert, walked towards
+the château. Paul Solange, silent and motionless, followed them
+with his eyes. When Monsieur Roger reached the step, he turned
+and made a friendly gesture to Paul, who responded by a bow.
+His eyes, in resting on Monsieur Roger, had an affectionate, softened,
+and respectful look. Miette saw it, and was struck by it. She
+approached, passed her arm in Paul's, and said, softly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You love him very much,&mdash;Monsieur Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Paul, with surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You love him very, very much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And he too loves you very well. I can see that. But do
+you love him as much as if he&mdash;&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>And Miette paused, embarrassed a little, feeling that what she
+was going to say was very important; still, being certain that she
+was right, she continued:</p>
+
+<p>"As much as if he was&mdash;your papa?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul started.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you love him as much and perhaps&mdash;perhaps more," she
+cried, seeing Paul start.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say things like that to me?" murmured Paul,
+much moved.</p>
+
+<p>"Because&mdash;nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you think that I love Monsieur Roger in the manner
+that you have just said?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Because what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, because I look at my papa just as I see you looking
+at Monsieur Roger."</p>
+
+<p>Paul tried to hide his embarrassment, and replied,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You are foolish."</p>
+
+<p>Then he looked up at Miette, who shook her head and
+smiled, as if to say that she was not foolish. An idea came
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Miette," said he, softly, "I am going to ask you something."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask it."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will tell it to no one?"</p>
+
+<p>"To no one."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, do you know why Monsieur Roger, at the fire at the
+farm, called me&mdash;called me George?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly, I know."</p>
+
+<p>"You know?" cried Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes: he called you George because he thought suddenly that
+his child, his little George, whom he lost in a fire,&mdash;in a fire on
+shipboard&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange listened, opening his eyes very wide.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that is true. You don't know anything about it. You
+were not here when Monsieur Roger told us this terrible thing."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I was not here; but you were here, Miette. Well, speak&mdash;tell
+me all about it."</p>
+
+<p>Then Miette repeated to Paul Monsieur Roger's story; she
+told him about the departure of Monsieur Roger, his wife, and
+their little George for America, their voyage on the ship, then
+the fire at sea. She told about the grief, the almost insane grief,
+which Monsieur Roger had felt when he saw himself separated
+from his wife and his son, who had been taken off in a boat,
+while he remained upon the steamer. Then she told Paul of the
+despair of Monsieur Roger when he saw that boat disappear and
+bear down with it to a watery grave those whom he loved.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_81_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_81_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"At that moment," continued Miette, "Monsieur Roger told
+us that he cried out 'George! George!' with a voice so loud, so
+terrified, that certainly his little boy must have heard."</p>
+
+<p>Miette stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what is the matter, Paul?" she cried: "are you sick?"</p>
+
+<p>For Paul Solange had suddenly become so pale that Miette
+was scared.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all," said he; "not at all; but finish your story."</p>
+
+<p>"It is finished."</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Monsieur Roger has never again seen his wife or his
+little George&mdash;or at least he saw his wife, whose body had been
+cast up by the waves, but the body of the little boy remained at
+the bottom of the sea."</p>
+
+<p>After a silence, Miette added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You now understand how it is that the fire at the farm recalled
+to him at once the fire on the ship, and why, in his grief,
+in his fright to see you in so great a danger, he thought of his
+little boy, and cried 'George!' You understand, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>Paul remained an instant without answering; then, very gravely,
+with a pale face and wide open eyes, he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I understand."</p>
+
+<p>Paul Solange did not sleep the night which followed the day
+on which he learned all these things. His brain was full of strange
+thoughts. He was calling up shadowy confused recollections. He
+sought to go back as far as possible to the first years of his childhood,
+but his memory was at fault. He suddenly found a dark
+corner where everything disappeared; he could go no farther; but
+now that he knew Monsieur Roger's story, he was certain, absolutely
+certain that he had answered to the name of George in the
+fire at the farm. It was that name, that name only, which had
+suddenly shaken off his torpor and given him the strength to
+awake; it was that name that had saved him. Feverishly searching
+in his memory, he said to himself that this name he had heard
+formerly pronounced with the same loud and terrified voice in some
+crisis, which must have been very terrible, but which he could not
+recall; and then, hesitating anxiously, feeling that he was making
+a fool of himself, he asked himself if it was during the fire on
+shipboard, of which Miette had spoken, that he had heard this
+name of George; and little by little, in the silence of the night,
+this conviction entered and fixed itself in his mind. Then he turned
+his thoughts upon the way that Monsieur Roger had treated him.
+Whence this sudden and great affection which Monsieur Roger had
+shown him? Why that sympathy which he knew to be profound
+and whose cause he could not explain, as he did not merit it a
+bit more than his friend Albert? Why had Monsieur Roger so
+bravely risked his life to save him? Why had his emotion been so
+great? Lastly, why this cry of "George?"</p>
+
+<p>And Paul Solange arrived at this logical conclusion,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If Monsieur Roger loves me so much; if he gave me, at the
+terrible moment when I came near dying, the name of his son, it
+must be because I recalled to him his son; it must be because I
+resemble his little George. And what then?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_82_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_82_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a><br /><span class="sub">MY FATHER.</span></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_83_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_83_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>When Paul at last fell into an uneasy sleep, the sun had been
+up for some hours. Monsieur Dalize and his friend Roger went
+out from the château.</p>
+
+<p>"Has the postman not been here yet?" said Monsieur Dalize
+to his servant.</p>
+
+<p>"No sir; he will not be here for an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; we will go to meet him."</p>
+
+<p>And in fact, in his haste, Monsieur Roger carried his friend off
+to meet the postman.</p>
+
+<p>But days had elapsed since Monsieur Dalize had, according to
+promise, written to the registrar of births, to ask him to forward
+a copy of the register of birth of Paul Solange, and no answer
+had yet arrived. This silence had astonished Monsieur Dalize and
+given a hope to Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"There must be some reason, don't you see," he said, walking
+beside his friend. "Some important reason why the registrar has
+not yet answered your pressing letter."</p>
+
+<p>"A reason, an important reason," replied Monsieur Dalize;
+"the explanation may be that the registrar is away."</p>
+
+<p>"No; there is some other reason," answered Monsieur Roger
+with conviction.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way to the station they met the letter-carrier, who said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Dalize, there are two letters for you."</p>
+
+<p>The first letter which Monsieur Dalize opened bore the address
+of the registrar of births. He rapidly read the few lines, then
+turned towards Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," said he; "there is a reason. Read."</p>
+
+<p>"I pray <i>you</i> read it; I am too much excited," replied Roger.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Dalize read as follows:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>"Sir</i>:</p>
+
+<p class="indent">"The researches which I have made in my docket to find the
+register of birth of Paul Solange must be my excuse for the delay.
+We have not the register of birth which you ask for, but in its
+place is a paper so important that I have not the right to part
+with it; still, I shall be ready to place this paper under your eyes
+when you come to Paris.</p>
+
+
+<p class="right">"Yours respectfully," etc.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>"I go," said Monsieur Dalize, consulting his watch; "I have
+just time to catch the train, and I shall return in time for dinner.
+Go back to the château and tell them that an important letter calls
+me to Paris."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger took the hand of his friend with a joy which
+he could not conceal, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"I go to please you," answered Monsieur Dalize, not wishing
+that his friend should have hopes excited, for failure might leave
+him more unhappy than ever. "I am going to see this important
+paper, but I see no reason why it should show that Paul was not
+the son of Monsieur Solange. So keep calm; you will need all
+your calmness on my return."</p>
+
+<p>Before leaving, Monsieur Dalize opened the envelope of the
+second letter; as the first lines caught his eyes, an expression of
+sorrow and surprise came over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"That is very strange and very sad," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"It is strange that this letter speaks of Monsieur Solange, the
+father of Paul, and it is sad that it also brings me bad news."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak," said Roger, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"This letter is from my successor in the banking house, and it
+says that Monsieur Solange, of Martinique, has suspended payment."</p>
+
+<p>"Has Monsieur Solange failed?" asked Roger.</p>
+
+<p>"The letter adds that they are awaiting fuller information from
+the mail that should arrive to-day. You see that my presence in
+Paris is doubly necessary. Come down to the station to meet me
+in the coupé at five o'clock, and come alone."</p>
+
+<p>The sudden departure of Monsieur Dalize did not very much
+astonish the people at the Château, but what did astonish them,
+and become a subject of remark for all, was the new expression
+on the face of Monsieur Roger. He seemed extremely moved, but
+his features showed hope and joy, which had chased away his
+usual sadness. Madame Dalize inquired what had happened, and
+Monsieur Roger told her the whole story.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Roger hoped, and he was even happier that day than
+ever to find himself near Paul, because the latter showed himself
+more affectionate than ever. Long before the appointed hour,
+Monsieur Roger was at the station, awaiting with impatience the
+return of Monsieur Dalize. At last the train came in sight, and
+soon Monsieur Dalize got out of the car.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" said Roger, with a trembling voice, awaiting the yes
+or the no on which his happiness or his despair depended. Monsieur
+Dalize, without answering, led Roger away from the station;
+then, when they were in the coupé, which started at a brisk pace,
+Monsieur Dalize threw his arms around his friend, with these
+words:</p>
+
+<p>"Be happy, it is your son!"</p>
+
+<p>Roger's eyes filled with tears, great big tears, which he could
+not restrain, tears of joy succeeding to the many tears of sorrow
+which he had shed. At last he murmured,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You have the proofs?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have two proofs, one of which comes in a very sad way."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"The confession of Monsieur Solange, who wrote to me on his
+death-bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Unhappy man!"</p>
+
+<p>"Unhappy, yes; but also guilty."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, read first a copy of the paper which took the place of
+the birth-register of Paul Solange."</p>
+
+<p>Through his tears, Monsieur Roger read as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"This 24th day of December, 1877, before me, Jean-Jacques
+Solange, French Consul of the Island of Saint-Christopher, in the
+English Antilles, appeared Jan Carit, captain of the Danish fishing
+vessel, 'Jutland,' and Steffenz and Kield, who declared to him
+that on the 15th of December, 1877, finding themselves near the
+Island of Eleuthera, in the archipelago of the Bahamas, they perceived
+a raft, from which they took a child of the masculine sex,
+who seemed to be between two and three years old. We have
+given him the name of Pierre Paul. In witness whereof, the above-named
+parties have hereunto set their hands and seals."</p>
+
+<p>When he had finished, Roger cried,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"There is no doubt,&mdash;the date, the place, everything is proof."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_84_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_84_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Which would not be sufficient, if I had not this."</p>
+
+<p>And Monsieur Dalize gave to his friend Solange's letter.  In
+this letter Monsieur Solange announced his ruin, and his approaching
+death from heart-disease; the doctors had given him up,
+and he begged Monsieur Dalize to tell Paul that he was not his
+son. Monsieur Solange declared that he was the French Consul
+at the Island of Saint Christopher when some Danish fishermen,
+from the Island of Saint Thomas, brought him the child, which they
+had found in the sea. He and his wife had no children. They
+determined to adopt the child which had been found. Monsieur
+Solange confessed that he had been wanting in his duty in not
+making the necessary search. He excused himself sadly by saying
+that he was convinced of the death of the parents of the child, and
+he begged for pardon, as he had wished to bring this child up
+and make him happy. In finishing, he said that the linen of the
+child was marked "G. L. M.," and that the boy could pronounce
+the French words "maman" and "papa."</p>
+
+<p>"I pardon him," said, gravely and solemnly, Monsieur Roger.</p>
+
+<p>The coupé had entered the park, and the two gentlemen
+alighted before the château, where the family awaited them. Monsieur
+Dalize advanced towards him who had hitherto been called
+Paul Solange, and who really was George La Morlière.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," said he, "I have news for you,&mdash;some very
+sad news and some very happy news."</p>
+
+<p>Anxious, excited, George came forward. Monsieur Dalize continued:</p>
+
+<p>"You have lost him who was your adopted father,&mdash;Monsieur
+Solange."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Solange is dead!" cried George, bowing his head,
+overwhelmed at the news.</p>
+
+<p>"But," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, "you have found your
+real father."</p>
+
+<p>At these words George raised his head again; his eyes went
+straight towards those of Monsieur Roger. He ran forward and
+threw himself in the arms which were opened to him, repeating,
+between his tears,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My father! my father!"</p>
+
+<p>And Miss Miette, who wept, as all the rest did, at this moving
+spectacle, said, in the midst of her sobs,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it; I knew it; I knew it was his papa!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+
+    <a href="images/illustration_85_high.jpg">
+      <img src="images/illustration_85_low.jpg" alt="Illustration" />
+   </a>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
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@@ -0,0 +1,5564 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: In Search of a Son
+
+Author: William Shepard Walsh
+
+Release Date: May 22, 2011 [EBook #36189]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN SEARCH OF A SON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephanie Kovalchik and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+1. Small cap has been tagged with = sign.
+
+2. When there were inconsistencies in hyphenation, the less frquent
+variant was replaced with the most frequent, e.g. "ship-board" was
+changed to "shipboard".
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+=In Search of a Son.=
+
+=BY=
+
+
+=UNCLE LAWRENCE,=
+
+=AUTHOR OF "YOUNG FOLKS' WHYS AND WHEREFORES," ETC.=
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+=PHILADELPHIA:=
+
+=J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.=
+
+1890.
+
+Copyright, 1889, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                     Page
+  CHAPTER I.
+
+    The Despatch                                        9
+
+  CHAPTER II.
+
+    Two Friends                                        18
+
+  CHAPTER III.
+
+    Monsieur Roger                                     26
+
+  CHAPTER IV.
+
+    Monsieur Roger's Story                             32
+
+  CHAPTER V.
+
+    Fire at Sea                                        39
+
+  CHAPTER VI.
+
+    Miss Miette's Fortune                              46
+
+  CHAPTER VII.
+
+    Vacation                                           53
+
+  CHAPTER VIII.
+
+    A Drawing Lesson                                   59
+
+  CHAPTER IX.
+
+    The Tower of Heurtebize                            66
+
+  CHAPTER X.
+
+    Physical Science                                   75
+
+  CHAPTER XI.
+
+    The Smoke Which Falls                              84
+
+  CHAPTER XII.
+
+    At the Centre of the Earth                         92
+
+  CHAPTER XIII.
+
+    Why Lead Is Heavier Than Cork                      99
+
+  CHAPTER XIV.
+
+    The Air-Pump                                      104
+
+  CHAPTER XV.
+
+    Drops of Rain and Hammer of Water                 114
+
+  CHAPTER XVI.
+
+    Amusing Physics                                   119
+
+  CHAPTER XVII.
+
+    Why the Moon does not Fall                        127
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+    A Mysterious Resemblance                          138
+
+  CHAPTER XIX.
+
+    The Fixed Idea                                    146
+
+  CHAPTER XX.
+
+    Fire                                              152
+
+  CHAPTER XXI.
+
+    Saved                                             161
+
+  CHAPTER XXII.
+
+    George! George!                                   167
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+    A Proof?                                          178
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+    The Air and the Lungs                             184
+
+  CHAPTER XXV.
+
+    Oxygen                                            190
+
+  CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+    Why Water Puts out Fire                           200
+
+  CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+    Paul or George?                                   214
+
+  CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+    My Father                                         222
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+IN SEARCH OF A SON.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE DESPATCH.
+
+
+In the great silence of the fields a far-off clock struck seven. The
+sun, an August sun, had been up for some time, lighting up and warming
+the left wing of the old French chateau. The tall old chestnut-trees of
+the park threw the greater part of the right wing into the shade, and in
+this pleasant shade was placed a bench of green wood, chairs, and a
+stone table.
+
+The door of the chateau opened, and a gentleman lightly descended the
+threshold. He was in his slippers and dressing-robe, and under the
+dressing-robe you could see his night-gown. After having thrown a
+satisfied look upon the beauty of nature, he approached the green seat,
+and seated himself before the stone table. An old servant came up and
+said,--
+
+"What will you take this morning, sir?"
+
+And as the gentleman, who did not seem to be hungry, was thinking what
+he wanted, the servant added,--
+
+"Coffee, soup, tea?"
+
+"No," said the gentleman; "give me a little vermouth and seltzer water."
+
+The servant retired, and soon returned with a tray containing the order.
+The gentleman poured out a little vermouth and seltzer water, then
+rolled a cigarette, lighted it, and, leaning back upon the rounded seat
+of the green bench, looked with pleasure at the lovely scene around him.
+On the left, in a small lake framed in the green lawn, was reflected one
+wing of the old chateau, as in a mirror. The bricks, whose colors were
+lighted up by the sun, seemed to be burning in the midst of the water.
+The large lawn began at the end of a gravelled walk, and seemed to be
+without limit, for the park merged into cultivated ground, and verdant
+hills rose over hills. There was not a cloud in the sky.
+
+The gentleman, after gazing for some minutes around him, got up and
+opened the door of the chateau. He called out, "Peter!" in a subdued
+voice, fearing, no doubt, to waken some sleeper.
+
+The servant ran out at once.
+
+"Well, Peter," said the gentleman, "have the papers come?"
+
+"No, sir; they have not yet come. That surprises me. If you wish, sir, I
+will go and meet the postman."
+
+And Peter was soon lost to sight in a little shady alley which descended
+into the high-road. In a few moments he reappeared, followed by a man.
+
+"Sir," said he, "I did not meet the letter-carrier; but here is a man
+with a telegraphic despatch."
+
+The man advanced, and, feeling in a bag suspended at his side, he
+said,--
+
+"Monsieur Dalize, I believe?"
+
+"Yes, my friend."
+
+"Well, here is a telegram for you which arrived at Sens last night."
+
+"A telegram?" said Monsieur Dalize, knitting his brows, his eyes showing
+that he was slightly surprised, and almost displeased, as if he had
+learned that unexpected news was more often bad news than good.
+Nevertheless, he took the paper, unfolded it, and looked at once at the
+signature.
+
+"Ah, from Roger," he said to himself.
+
+And then he began to read the few lines of the telegram. As he read, his
+face brightened, surprise followed uneasiness, and then a great joy
+took the place of discontent. He said to the man,--
+
+"You can carry back an answer, can you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, Peter, bring me pen and ink at once."
+
+Peter brought pen, ink, and paper, and Monsieur Dalize wrote his
+telegram. He gave it to the man, and, feeling through his pockets,
+pulled out a louis.
+
+"Here, my good fellow," said he: "that will pay for the telegram and
+will pay you for your trouble."
+
+The man looked at the coin in the hollow of his hand in an embarrassed
+way, fearing that he had not exactly understood.
+
+"Come, now,--run," said Monsieur Dalize; "good news such as you have
+brought me cannot be paid for too dearly; only hurry."
+
+"Ah, yes, sir, I will hurry," said the man; "and thank you very much,
+thank you very much."
+
+And, in leaving, he said to himself, as he squeezed the money in his
+hand,--
+
+"I should be very glad to carry to him every day good news at such a
+price as that."
+
+When he was alone, Monsieur Dalize reread the welcome despatch. Then he
+turned around, and looked towards a window on the second floor of the
+chateau, whose blinds were not yet opened. From this window his looks
+travelled back to the telegram, which seemed to rejoice his heart and
+to give him cause for thought. He was disturbed in his reverie by the
+noise of two blinds opening against the wall. He rose hastily, and could
+not withhold the exclamation,--
+
+"At last!"
+
+"Oh, my friend," said the voice of a lady, in good-natured tones. "Are
+you reproaching me for waking up too late?"
+
+"It is no reproach at all, my dear wife," said Monsieur Dalize, "as you
+were not well yesterday evening."
+
+"Ah, but this morning I am entirely well," said Madame Dalize, resting
+her elbows on the sill of the window.
+
+"So much the better," cried Mr. Dalize, joyfully, "and again so much the
+better."
+
+"What light-heartedness!" said Madame Dalize, smiling.
+
+"That is because I am happy, do you know, very happy."
+
+"And the cause of this joy?"
+
+"It all lies in this little bit of paper," answered Monsieur Dalize,
+pointing to the telegram towards the window.
+
+"And what does this paper say?"
+
+"It says,--now listen,--it says that my old friend, my best friend, has
+returned to France, and that in a few hours he will be here with us."
+
+Madame Dalize was silent for an instant, then, suddenly remembering, she
+said,--
+
+"Roger,--are you speaking of Roger?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"Ah, my friend," said Madame Dalize, "now I understand the joy you
+expressed." Then she added, as she closed the window, "I will dress
+myself and be down in a moment."
+
+Hardly had the window of Madame Dalize's room closed than a little girl
+of some ten years, with a bright and pretty face surrounded by black
+curly hair, came in sight from behind the chateau. As she caught sight
+of Monsieur Dalize, she ran towards him.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she said, throwing herself into his open arms.
+
+"Good-morning, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, taking the little girl
+upon his knees and kissing her over and over again.
+
+"Ah, papa," said the child, "you seem very happy this morning."
+
+"And you have noticed that too, Miette?"
+
+"Why, of course, papa; any one can see that in your face."
+
+"Well, I am very happy."
+
+Miss Mariette Dalize, who was familiarly called Miette, for short,
+looked at her father without saying anything, awaiting an explanation.
+Monsieur Dalize understood her silence.
+
+"You want to know what it is that makes me so happy?"
+
+"Yes, papa."
+
+"Well, then, it is because I am going to-day to see one of my
+friends,--my oldest friend, my most faithful friend,--whom I have not
+seen for ten long years."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Monsieur Dalize stopped for a moment.
+
+"Indeed," he continued, "you cannot understand what I feel, my dear
+little Miette."
+
+"And why not, papa?"
+
+"Because you do not know the man of whom I speak."
+
+Miette looked at her father, and said, in a serious tone,--
+
+"You say that I don't know your best friend. Come! is it not Monsieur
+Roger?"
+
+It was now the father's turn to look at his child, and, with pleased
+surprise, he said,--
+
+"What? You know?"
+
+"Why, papa, I have so often heard you talk to mamma of your friend Roger
+that I could not be mistaken."
+
+"That is true; you are right."
+
+"Then," continued Miss Miette, "it is Mr. Roger who is going to arrive
+here?"
+
+"It is he," said Monsieur Dalize, joyously.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But Miss Miette did not share her father's joy. She was silent for a
+moment, as if seeking to remember something very important, then she
+lowered her eyes, and murmured, sadly,--
+
+"The poor gentleman."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+TWO FRIENDS.
+
+
+The chateau of Sainte-Gemme, which was some miles from the village of
+Sens, had belonged to Monsieur Dalize for some years. It was in this old
+chateau, which had often been restored, but which still preserved its
+dignified appearance, that Monsieur Dalize and his family had come to
+pass the summer.
+
+Monsieur Dalize had become the owner of the property of Sainte-Gemme on
+his retirement from business. He came out at the beginning of every
+May, and did not return to Paris until November. During August and
+September the family was complete, for then it included Albert Dalize,
+who was on vacation from college. With his wife and his children, Albert
+and Mariette, Monsieur Dalize was happy, but sometimes there was a cloud
+upon this happiness. The absence of a friend with whom Monsieur Dalize
+had been brought up, and the terrible sorrows which this friend had
+experienced, cast an occasional gloom over the heart of the owner of
+Sainte-Gemme. This friend was called Roger La Morliere. In the Dalize
+family he was called simply Roger. He was a distinguished chemist. At
+the beginning of his life he had been employed by a manufacturer of
+chemicals in Saint-Denis, and the close neighborhood to Paris enabled
+him frequently to see his friend Dalize, who had succeeded his father in
+a banking-house. Later, some flattering offers had drawn him off to
+Northern France, to the town of Lille. In this city Roger had found a
+charming young girl, whom he loved and whose hand he asked in marriage.
+Monsieur Dalize was one of the witnesses to this marriage, which seemed
+to begin most happily, although neither party was wealthy. Monsieur
+Dalize had already been married at this time, and husband and wife had
+gone to Lille to be present at the union of their friend Roger. Then a
+terrible catastrophe had occurred. Roger had left France and gone to
+America. Ten years had now passed. The two friends wrote each other
+frequently. Monsieur Dalize's letters were full of kindly counsels, of
+encouragement, of consolation. Roger's, though they were affectionate,
+showed that he was tired of life, that his heart was in despair.
+
+Still, Monsieur Dalize, in receiving the telegram which announced the
+return of this well-beloved friend, had only thought of the joy of
+seeing him again. The idea that this friend, whom he had known once so
+happy, would return to him broken by grief had not at first presented
+itself to his mind. Now he began to reflect. An overwhelming sorrow had
+fallen upon the man, and for ten years he had shrouded himself in the
+remembrance of this sorrow. What great changes must he have gone
+through! how different he would look from the Roger he had known!
+
+Monsieur Dalize thought over these things, full of anxiety, his eyes
+fixed upon the shaded alley in front of him.
+
+Miette had softly slipped down from her father's knees, and, seating
+herself by his side upon the bench, she remained silent, knowing that
+she had better say nothing at such a time.
+
+Light steps crunched the gravel, and Madame Dalize approached.
+
+Miss Miette had seen her mother coming, but Monsieur Dalize had seen
+nothing and heard nothing.
+
+In great astonishment Madame Dalize asked, addressing herself rather to
+her daughter than to her husband,--
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+Miss Miette made a slight motion, as if to say that she had better not
+answer; but this time Monsieur Dalize had heard.
+
+He lifted sad eyes to his wife's face.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Now, where has all the joy of the morning fled, my friend?" asked
+Madame Dalize. "And why this sudden sadness?"
+
+"Because this child"--and Monsieur Dalize passed his hand through his
+daughter's thick curls--"has reminded me of the sorrows of Roger."
+
+"Miette?" demanded Madame Dalize. "What has she said to you?"
+
+"She simply said, when I spoke to her of Roger, 'The poor gentleman.'
+And she was right,--the poor gentleman, poor Roger."
+
+"Undoubtedly," answered Madame Dalize; "but ten years have passed since
+that terrible day, and time heals many wounds."
+
+"That is true; but I know Roger, and I know that he has forgotten
+nothing."
+
+"Of course, forgetfulness would not be easy to him over there, in that
+long, solitary exile; but once he has returned here to us, near his
+family, his wounds will have a chance to heal; and, in any case," added
+Madame Dalize, taking her husband's hand, "he will have at hand two
+doctors who are profoundly devoted."
+
+"Yes, my dear wife, you are right; and if he can be cured, we will know
+how to cure him."
+
+Madame Dalize took the telegram from her husband's hands, and read
+this:
+
+"=Monsieur Dalize=, Chateau de Sainte-Gemme, at Sens:
+
+  "=Friend=,--I am on my way home. Learn at Paris that you
+  are at Sainte-Gemme. May I come there at once?"
+
+                                                 "=Roger.="
+
+"And you answered him?"
+
+"I answered, 'We are awaiting you with the utmost impatience. Take the
+first train.'"
+
+"Will that first train be the eleven-o'clock train?"
+
+"No; I think that Roger will not be able to take the express. The man
+with the telegram will not have reached Sens soon enough, even if he
+hurried, as he promised he would. Then, the time taken to send the
+despatch, to receive it in Paris, and to take it to Roger's address
+would make it more than eleven. So our friend will have to take the next
+train; and you cannot count upon his being here before five o'clock."
+
+"Oh!" cried Miss Miette, in a disappointed tone.
+
+"What is the matter, my child?" asked Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Why, I think----"
+
+"What do you think?"
+
+"Well, papa," Miss Miette at last said, "I think that the railroads and
+the telegrams are far too slow."
+
+Monsieur Dalize could not suppress a smile at hearing this exclamation.
+He turned to his wife, and said,--
+
+"See, how hurried is this younger generation. They think that steam and
+electricity are too slow."
+
+And, turning around to his daughter, he continued,--
+
+"What would you like to have?"
+
+"Why," answered the girl, "I would like to have Monsieur Roger here at
+once."
+
+Her wish was to be fulfilled sooner than she herself could foresee.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+MONSIEUR ROGER.
+
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize went back into the chateau, and soon
+reappeared in walking-costumes. Miette, who was playing in the shadows
+of the great chestnut-trees, looked up in surprise.
+
+"You are going out walking without me?" said she.
+
+"No, my child," answered Madame Dalize, "we are not going out to take a
+walk at all; but we have to go and make our excuses to Monsieur and
+Madame Sylvestre at the farm, because we shall not be able to dine with
+them this evening, as we had agreed."
+
+"Take me with you," said Miette.
+
+"No; the road is too long and too fatiguing for your little legs."
+
+"Are you going on foot?"
+
+"Certainly," said Monsieur Dalize. "We must keep the horses fresh to
+send them down to meet Roger at the station."
+
+Miss Miette could not help respecting so good a reason, and she resisted
+no longer.
+
+When left alone, she began seriously to wonder what she should do during
+the absence of her parents, which would certainly last over an hour. An
+idea came to her. She went into the chateau, passed into the
+drawing-room, took down a large album of photographs which was on the
+table, and carried it into her room. She did not have to search long. On
+the first page was the portrait of her mother, on the next was that of
+herself, Miette, and that of her brother Albert. The third page
+contained two portraits of men. One of these portraits was that of her
+father, the other was evidently the one that she was in search of, for
+she looked at it attentively.
+
+"It was a long time ago," she said to herself, "that this photograph was
+made,--ten years ago; but I am sure that I shall recognize Monsieur
+Roger all the same when he returns."
+
+At this very moment Miette heard the sound of a carriage some distance
+off. Surely the carriage was driving through the park. She listened
+with all her ears. Soon the gravelled road leading up to the chateau was
+crunched under the wheels of the carriage. Miette then saw an
+old-fashioned cab, which evidently had been hired at some hotel in Sens.
+The cab stopped before the threshold. Miette could not see so far from
+her window. She left the album upon her table, and ran down-stairs, full
+of curiosity. In the vestibule she met old Peter, and asked him who it
+was.
+
+"It is a gentleman whom I don't know," said Peter.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"I asked him into the parlor."
+
+Miette approached lightly on tiptoe to the door of the parlor, which was
+open, wishing to see without being seen. She expected she would find in
+this visitor some country neighbor. The gentleman was standing, looking
+out of the glass windows.
+
+From where she was Miette could see his profile. She made a gesture, as
+if to say, "I don't know him;" and she was going to withdraw as slowly
+as possible, with her curiosity unsatisfied, when the gentleman turned
+around. Miette now saw him directly in front of her in the full light.
+His beard and his hair were gray, his forehead was lightly wrinkled on
+the temples, a sombre expression saddened his features. His dress was
+elegant. He walked a few steps in the parlor, coming towards the door,
+but he had not yet seen Miette. In her great surprise she had quickly
+drawn herself back, but she still followed the visitor with her eyes. At
+first she had doubted now she was sure; she could not be mistaken. When
+the gentleman had reached the middle of the parlor, Miette could contain
+herself no longer. She showed herself in the doorway and advanced
+towards the visitor. He stopped, surprised at this pretty apparition.
+Miette came up to him and looked him in the eyes. Then, entirely
+convinced, holding out her arms towards the visitor, she said, softly,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger!"
+
+The gentleman in his turn looked with surprise at the pretty little girl
+who had saluted him by name. He cast a glance towards the door, and,
+seeing that she was alone, more surprised than ever, he looked at her
+long and silently.
+
+Miette, abashed by this scrutiny, drew back a little, and said, with
+hesitation,--
+
+"Tell me: you are surely Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes, I am indeed Monsieur Roger," said the visitor, at last, in a voice
+full of emotion. And, with a kindly smile, he added, "How did you come
+to recognize me, Miss Miette?"
+
+Hearing her own name pronounced in this unexpected manner, Miss Miette
+was struck dumb with astonishment. At the end of a minute, she
+stammered,--
+
+"Why, sir, you know me, then, also?"
+
+"Yes, my child; I have known and loved you for a long time."
+
+And Monsieur Roger caught Miette up in his arms and kissed her
+tenderly.
+
+"Yes," he continued, "I know you, my dear child. Your father has often
+spoken of you in his letters; and has he not sent me also several of
+your photographs when I asked for them?"
+
+"Why, that is funny!" cried Miette.
+
+But she suddenly felt that the word was not dignified enough.
+
+"That is very strange," she said: "for I, too, recognized you from your
+photograph; and it was only five minutes ago, at the very moment when
+you arrived, that I was looking at it, up-stairs in my room. Shall I go
+up and find the album?"
+
+Monsieur Roger held her back.
+
+"No, my child," said he, "remain here by me, and tell me something about
+your father and your mother."
+
+Miette looked up at the clock.
+
+"Papa and mamma may return at any moment. They will talk to you
+themselves a great deal better than I can. All that I can tell you is
+that they are going to be very, very glad; but they did not expect you
+until the evening. How does it happen that you are here already?"
+
+"Because I took the first train,--the 6.30."
+
+"But your telegram?"
+
+"Yes, I sent a despatch last night on arriving at Paris, but I did not
+have the patience to wait for an answer. I departed, hoping they would
+receive me anyway with pleasure; and I already see that I was not
+mistaken."
+
+"No, Monsieur Roger," answered Miette, "you were not mistaken. You are
+going to be very happy here, very happy. There, now! I see papa and
+mamma returning."
+
+The door of the vestibule had just been opened.
+
+They could see Peter exchanging some words with his master and mistress.
+Then hurried steps were heard, and in a moment Monsieur Dalize was in
+the arms of his friend Roger. Miss Miette, who had taken her mamma by
+the arm, obliged her to bend down, and said in her ear,--
+
+"I love him already, our friend Roger."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MONSIEUR ROGER'S STORY.
+
+
+The evening had come, the evening of that happy day when the two
+friends, after ten years of absence, had come together again. Monsieur
+Roger had known from the first that he would find loving and faithful
+hearts just as he had left them. They were all sitting, after dinner, in
+a large vestibule, whose windows, this beautiful evening in autumn,
+opened out upon the sleeping park. For some moments the conversation had
+fallen into an embarrassing silence. Every one looked at Monsieur
+Roger. They thought that he might speak, that he might recount the
+terrible event which had broken his life; but they did not like to ask
+him anything about it. Monsieur Roger was looking at the star-sprinkled
+sky, and seemed to be dreaming, but in his deeper self he had guessed
+the thoughts of his friends and understood he ought to speak. He passed
+his hand over his forehead to chase away a painful impression, and with
+a resolute, but low and soft voice, he said,--
+
+"I see, my friends, my dear friends, I see that you expect from me the
+story of my sorrow."
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize made a sight gesture of negation.
+
+"Yes," continued Monsieur Roger, "I know very well that you do not wish
+it through idle curiosity, that you fear to reawaken my griefs; but to
+whom can I tell my story, if not to you? I owe it to you as a sacred
+debt, and, if I held my tongue, it seems to me a dark spot would come
+upon our friendship. You know what a lovely and charming wife I married.
+Her only fault--a fault only in the eyes of the world--was that she was
+poor. I had the same fault. When my son George came into the world I
+suddenly was filled with new ambitions. I wished, both for his sake and
+for his mother's, to amass wealth, and I worked feverishly and
+continuously in my laboratory. I had a problem before me, and at last I
+succeeded in solving it. I had discovered a new process for treating
+silver ores. Fear nothing: I am not going to enter into technical
+details; but it is necessary that I should explain to you the reason
+which made me"--here Monsieur paused, and then continued, with profound
+sadness--"which made _us_ go to America. Silver ores in most of the
+mines of North America offer very complex combinations in the sulphur,
+bromide, chloride of lime, and iodine, which I found mixed up with the
+precious metal,--that is to say, with the silver. It is necessary to
+free the silver from all these various substances. Now, the known
+processes had not succeeded in freeing the silver in all its purity.
+There was always a certain quantity of the silver which remained alloyed
+with foreign matters, and that much silver was consequently lost. The
+processes which I had discovered made it possible to obtain the entire
+quantity of silver contained in the ore. Not a fraction of the precious
+metal escaped. An English company owning some silver-mines in Texas
+heard of my discovery, and made me an offer. I was to go to Texas for
+ten years. The enterprise was to be at my own risk, but they would give
+me ten per cent on all the ore that I saved. I felt certain to succeed.
+My wife, full of faith in me, urged me to accept. What were we risking?
+A modest situation in a chemical laboratory, which I should always be
+able to obtain again. Over there on the other side of the Atlantic there
+were millions in prospect; and if I did not succeed from the beginning,
+my wife, who drew and painted better than an amateur,--as well as most
+painters, indeed,--and who had excellent letters of recommendation,
+would give drawing-lessons in New Orleans, where the company had its
+head-quarters. We decided to go; but first we came to Paris. I wished
+to say good-by to you and to show you my son, my poor little George, of
+whom I was so proud, and whom you did not know. He was then two and
+one-half years old. My decision had been taken so suddenly that I could
+not announce it to you. When we arrived in Paris, we learned that you
+were in Nice. I wrote to you,--don't you remember?" said Monsieur Roger,
+turning to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, my friend; I have carefully kept that letter of farewell, full of
+hope and of enthusiasm."
+
+"We were going to embark from Liverpool on the steamer which would go
+directly to New Orleans. The steamer was called the Britannic."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped speaking, full of emotion at this recollection.
+At the end of a long silence he again took up the thread of his story.
+
+"The first days of the journey we had had bad weather. And I had passed
+them almost entirely in our state-room with my poor wife and my little
+boy, who were very sea-sick. On the tenth day (it was the 14th of
+December) the weather cleared up, and, notwithstanding a brisk wind from
+the north-east, we were on the deck after dinner. The night had come;
+the stars were already out, though every now and then hidden under
+clouds high up in the sky, which fled quickly out of sight. We were in
+the archipelago of Bahama, not far from Florida.
+
+"'One day more and we shall be in port,' I said to my wife and to
+George, pointing in the direction of New Orleans.
+
+"My wife, full of hope,--too full, alas! poor girl,--said to me, with a
+smile, as she pointed to George,--
+
+"'And this fortune that we have come so far to find, but which we shall
+conquer without doubt, this fortune will all be for this little
+gentleman.'
+
+"George, whom I had just taken upon my knees, guessed that we were
+speaking of him, and he threw his little arms around my neck and touched
+my face with his lips."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+FIRE AT SEA.
+
+
+"At this moment, a moment that I shall never forget, I heard a sudden
+crackling noise, strange and unexpected, coming from a point seemingly
+close to me. I turned around and saw nothing. Nevertheless, I still
+heard that sound in my ears. It was a strange sound. One might have
+thought that an immense punch had been lighted in the interior of the
+ship, and that the liquid, stirred up by invisible hands, was tossed up
+and down, hissing and crackling. The quick movement of my head had
+arrested George in the midst of his caresses. Now he looked up at me
+with astonished eyes. The uneasiness which I felt in spite of the
+absence of any cause must have appeared upon my face, for my wife,
+standing beside me, leaned over to ask, in a subdued voice,--
+
+"'What is the matter?'
+
+"I think I answered, 'Nothing.' But my mind had dwelt upon an awful
+danger,--that danger of which the most hardened seamen speak with a
+beating heart,--fire at sea. Alas! my fears were to be realized. From
+one of the hatches there suddenly leaped up a tongue of flame. At the
+same instant we heard the awful cry, 'Fire!' To add to our distress, the
+wind had increased, and had become so violent that it fanned the flames
+with terrible rapidity, and had enveloped the state-rooms in the rear,
+whence the passengers were running, trembling and crying. In a few
+minutes the back of the ship was all on fire. My wife had snatched
+George from my arms, and held him closely against her breast, ready to
+save him or die with him. The captain, in the midst of the panic of the
+passengers, gave his orders. The boats were being lowered into the
+sea,--those at least which remained, for two had already been attacked
+by the fire. Accident threw the captain between me and my wife at the
+very moment when he was crying out to his men to allow none but the
+women and children in the boats. He recognized me. I had been introduced
+to him by a common friend, and he said, in a voice choked with emotion,
+pointing to my wife and my son,--
+
+"'Embrace them!'
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Then he tore them both from my arms and pushed and carried them to the
+last boat, which was already too full. Night had come. With the rise of
+the wind, clouds had collected, obscuring the sky. By the light of the
+fire I saw for the last time--yes, for the last time--my wife and my
+child in the boat, shaken by an angry sea. Both were looking towards me.
+Did they see me also for the last time? And in my agony I cried out,
+'George! George!' with a voice so loud that my son must surely have
+heard that last cry. Yes, he must have heard it. I stood rooted to the
+spot, looking without seeing anything, stupefied by this hopeless
+sorrow, not even feeling the intense heat of the flames, which were
+coming towards me. But the captain saw me. He ran towards me, drew me
+violently back, and threw me in the midst of the men, who were beginning
+a determined struggle against the fire which threatened to devour them.
+The instinct of life, the hope to see again my loved ones, gave me
+courage. I did as the others. Some of the passengers applied themselves
+to the chain; the pumps set in motion threw masses of water into the
+fire; but it seemed impossible to combat it, for it was alcohol which
+was burning. They had been obliged to repack part of the hold, where
+there were a number of demijohns of alcohol which the bad weather the
+first days had displaced. During the work one of these vast stone
+bottles had fallen and broken. As ill luck would have it, the alcohol
+descended in a rain upon a lamp in the story below, and the alcohol had
+taken fire. So I had not been mistaken when the first sound had made me
+think of the crackling of a punch. We worked with an energy which can
+only be found in moments of this sort. The captain inspired us with
+confidence. At one time we had hope. The flames had slackened, or at
+least we supposed so; but in fact they had only gone another way, and
+reached the powder-magazine. A violent explosion succeeded, and one of
+the masts was hurled into the sea. Were we lost? No; for the engineer
+had had a sudden inspiration. He had cut the pipes, and immediately
+directed upon the flames torrents of steam from the engine. A curtain of
+vapor lifted itself up between us and the fire, a curtain which the
+flames could not penetrate. Then the pumps worked still more
+effectually. We were saved."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+MISS MIETTE'S FORTUNE.
+
+
+"The rudder no longer guided us. What a night we passed! We made a
+roll-call: how many were wanting? and the boats which contained our
+wives, our children,--had those boats found a refuge? had they reached
+land anywhere? The ocean was still rough, and, notwithstanding the
+captain's words of hope, I was in despair,--anticipating the sorrow that
+was to overwhelm me. Every one remained on deck. At daybreak a new
+feeling of sadness seized us at the sight of our steamer, deformed and
+blackened by the fire. The deck for more than forty yards was nothing
+but a vast hole, at the bottom of which were lying, pell-mell,
+half-consumed planks and beams, windlasses blackened by fire, bits of
+wood, and formless masses of metal over which the tongues of flame had
+passed. Notwithstanding all this the steamer was slowly put in motion.
+We were able to reach Havana. There we hoped we might hear some news.
+And we did hear news,--but what news! A sailing-vessel had found on the
+morrow of the catastrophe a capsized boat on the coast of the island of
+Andros, where the boat had evidently been directed. A sailor who had
+tied himself to the boat, and whom they at first thought dead, was
+recalled to life, and told his story of the fire. From Havana, where the
+sailing-vessel had stopped, a rescuing-party was at once sent out. They
+found and brought back with them the debris of boats broken against the
+rocks and also many dead bodies. These were all laid out in a large
+room, where the remaining passengers of the Britannic were invited. We
+had to count the dead; we had to identify them. With what agony, with
+what cruel heart-beats I entered the room. I closed my eyes. I tried to
+persuade myself that I would not find there the beings that were so dear
+to me. I wished to believe that they had been saved, my dear ones, while
+my other companions in misfortune were all crying and sobbing. At last I
+opened my eyes, and, the strength of my vision being suddenly increased
+to a wonderful degree, I saw that in this long line of bodies there was
+no child. That was my first thought. May my poor wife forgive me! She
+also was not there; but it was not long before she came. That very
+evening a rescuing-party brought back her corpse with the latest found."
+
+Monsieur Roger ceased speaking. He looked at his friends, Monsieur and
+Madame Dalize, who were silently weeping; then his eyes travelled to
+Miette. She was not crying; her look, sad but astonished, interested,
+questioned Monsieur Roger. He thought, "She cannot understand sorrow,
+this little girl, who has not had any trials."
+
+And the eyes of Miette seemed to answer, "But George? George? did they
+not find him?"
+
+At last Monsieur Roger understood this thought in the mind of Miette
+without any necessity on her part to express it by her lips, and, as if
+he were answering to a verbal question, he said, shaking his head,--
+
+"No, they never found him."
+
+Miette expected this answer; then she too began to weep.
+
+Monsieur Dalize repeated the last words of Monsieur Roger.
+
+"They did not find him! I do not dare to ask you, my dear friend, if you
+preserve any hope."
+
+"Yes, I hope. I forced myself to hope for a long time. But the ocean
+kept my child in the same way that it buried in its depths many other
+victims of this catastrophe, for it was that very hope that made me
+remain in America. I might have returned to France and given up my
+engagements; but there I was closer to news, if there were any; and,
+besides, in work, in hard labor to which I intended to submit my body, I
+expected to find, if not forgetfulness, at least that weariness which
+dampens the spirit. I remained ten years in Texas, and I returned to-day
+without ever having forgotten that terrible night."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There was a silence. Then Monsieur Dalize, wishing to create a
+diversion, asked,--
+
+"How does it happen that you did not announce to me beforehand your
+return. It was not until I received your telegram this morning that we
+learned this news which made us so happy. I had no reason to expect
+that your arrival would be so sudden. Did you not say that you were to
+remain another six months, and perhaps a year, in Texas?"
+
+"Yes; and I did then think that I should be forced to prolong my stay
+for some months. My contract was ended, my work was done. I was free,
+but the mining-company wished to retain me. They wanted me to sign a new
+contract, and to this end they invented all sorts of pretexts to keep me
+where I was. As I did not wish to go to law against the people through
+whom I had made my fortune, I determined to wait, hoping that my
+patience would tire them out; and that, in fact, is what happened. The
+company bowed before my decision. This good news reached me on the eve
+of the departure of a steamer. I did not hesitate for a moment; I at
+once took ship. I might indeed have given you notice on the way, but I
+wished to reserve to myself the happiness of surprising you. It was not
+until I reached Paris that I decided to send you a despatch; and even
+then I did not have the strength to await your reply."
+
+"Dear Roger!" said Monsieur Dalize. "And then your process, your
+discovery, succeeded entirely?"
+
+"Yes, I have made a fortune,--a large fortune. I have told you that the
+enterprise was at my risk, but that the company would give me ten per
+cent. on all the ore that I would succeed in saving. Now, the mines of
+Texas used to produce four million dollars' worth a year. Thanks to my
+process, they produce nearly a million more. In ten years you can well
+see what was my portion."
+
+"Splendid!" said Monsieur Dalize; "it represents a sum of----"
+
+Madame Dalize interrupted her husband.
+
+"Miette," said she, "cannot you do that little sum for us, my child?"
+
+Miette wiped her eyes and ceased crying. Her mother's desire had been
+reached. The little girl took a pencil, and, after making her mother
+repeat the question to her, put down some figures upon a sheet of paper.
+After a moment she said, not without hesitation, for the sum appeared to
+her enormous,--
+
+"Why! it is a million dollars that Monsieur Roger has made!"
+
+"Exactly," said Monsieur Roger; "and, my dear child, you have, without
+knowing it, calculated pretty closely the fortune which you will receive
+from me as your wedding portion."
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize looked up with astonishment. Miette gazed at
+Monsieur Roger without understanding.
+
+"My dear friends," said Roger, turning to Monsieur and Madame Dalize,
+"you will not refuse me the pleasure of giving my fortune to Miss
+Miette. I have no one else in the world; and does not Mariette represent
+both of you? Where would my money be better placed?"
+
+And turning towards Miss Miette, he said to her,--
+
+"Yes, my child, that million will be yours on your marriage."
+
+Miette looked from her mother to her father, not knowing whether she
+ought to accept, and seriously embarrassed. With a sweet smile, Monsieur
+Roger added,--
+
+"And so, you see, you will be able to choose a husband that you like."
+
+Then, quietly and without hesitation, Miss Miette said,--
+
+"It will be Paul Solange."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+VACATION.
+
+
+Monsieur and Madame Dalize could not help smiling in listening to this
+frank declaration of their daughter: "It will be Paul Solange."
+
+Monsieur Roger smiled in his turn, and said,--
+
+"What! has Miss Miette already made her choice?"
+
+"It is an amusing bit of childishness," answered Madame Dalize, "as you
+see. But, really, Miss Miette, although she teases him often, has a very
+kindly feeling for our friend Paul Solange."
+
+"And who is this happy little mortal?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"A friend of Albert's," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Albert, your son?" said Monsieur Roger, to whom this name and this word
+were always painful. Then he added,--
+
+"I should like very much to see him, your son."
+
+"You shall soon see him, my dear Roger," answered Monsieur Dalize.
+"Vacation begins to-morrow morning, and to-morrow evening Albert will be
+at Sainte-Gemme."
+
+"With Paul?" asked Miss Miette.
+
+"Why, certainly," said Madame Dalize, laughing; "with your friend Paul
+Solange."
+
+Monsieur Roger asked,--
+
+"How old is Albert at present?"
+
+"In his thirteenth year," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger remained silent. He was thinking that his little George,
+if he had lived, would also be big now, and, like the son of Monsieur
+Dalize, would be in his thirteenth year.
+
+Next day the horses were harnessed, and all four went down to the
+station to meet the five-o'clock train. When Albert and Paul jumped out
+from the train, and had kissed Monsieur and Madame Dalize and Miss
+Miette, they looked with some surprise at Monsieur Roger, whom they did
+not know.
+
+"Albert," said Monsieur Dalize, showing Monsieur Roger to his son, "why
+don't you salute our friend Roger?"
+
+"Is this Monsieur Roger?" cried Albert, and the tone of his voice
+showed that his father had taught him to know and to love the man who
+now, with his eyes full of tears, was pressing him to his heart.
+
+"And you too, Paul, don't you want to embrace our friend?" said Monsieur
+Dalize.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Paul Solange, with a sad and respectful gravity,
+which struck Monsieur Roger and at once called up his affection.
+
+On the way, Monsieur Roger, who was looking with emotion upon the two
+young people, but whose eyes were particularly fixed upon Paul, said, in
+a low voice, to Monsieur Dalize,--
+
+"They are charming children."
+
+"And it is especially Paul whom you think charming; acknowledge it,"
+answered Monsieur Dalize, in the same tone.
+
+"Why should Paul please me more than Albert?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Ah, my poor friend," replied Monsieur Dalize, "because the father of
+Albert is here and the father of Paul is far away."
+
+Monsieur Dalize was right. Monsieur Roger, without wishing it, had felt
+his sympathies attracted more strongly to this child, who was, for the
+time being, fatherless. He bent over to Monsieur Dalize, and asked,--
+
+"Where is Paul's father?"
+
+"In Martinique, where he does a big business in sugar-cane and coffee.
+Monsieur Solange was born in France, and he decided that his son should
+come here to study."
+
+"I can understand that," replied Monsieur Roger; "but what a sorrow this
+exile must cause the mother of this child!"
+
+"Paul has no mother: she died several years ago."
+
+"Poor boy!" murmured Monsieur Roger, and his growing friendship became
+all the stronger.
+
+That evening, after dinner, when coffee was being served, Miss Miette,
+who was in a very good humor, was seized with the desire to tease her
+little friend Paul.
+
+"Say, Paul," she asked, from one end of the table to the other, "how
+many prizes did you take this year?"
+
+Paul, knowing that an attack was coming, began to smile, and answered,
+good-naturedly,--
+
+"You know very well, you naughty girl. You have already asked me, and I
+have told you."
+
+"Ah, that is true," said Miette, with affected disdain: "you took one
+prize,--one poor little prize,--bah!"
+
+Then, after a moment, she continued,--
+
+"That is not like my brother: he took several prizes, _he_ did,--a prize
+for Latin, a prize for history, a prize for mathematics, a prize for
+physical science, and a prize for chemistry. Well, well! and you,--you
+only took one prize; and that is the same one you took last year!"
+
+"Yes," said Paul, without minding his friend's teasing; "but last year I
+took only the second prize, and this year I took the first."
+
+"You have made some progress," said Miss Miette, sententiously.
+
+Monsieur Roger had been interested in the dialogue.
+
+"May I ask what prize Master Paul Solange has obtained?"
+
+"A poor little first prize for drawing only," answered Miette.
+
+"Ah, you love drawing?" said Monsieur Roger, looking at Paul.
+
+But it was Miette who answered: "He loves nothing else."
+
+Monsieur Dalize now, in his turn, took up the conversation, and said,--
+
+"The truth is that our friend Paul has a passion for drawing. History
+and Latin please him a little, but for chemistry and the physical
+sciences he has no taste at all."
+
+Monsieur Roger smiled.
+
+"You are wrong," replied Monsieur Dalize, "to excuse by your smile
+Paul's indifference to the sciences.--And as to you, Paul, you would do
+well to take as your example Monsieur Roger, who would not have his
+fortune if he had not known chemistry and the physical sciences. In our
+day the sciences are indispensable."
+
+Miss Miette, who had shoved herself a little away from the table,
+pouting slightly, heard these words, and came to the defence of the one
+whom she had begun by attacking. She opened a book full of pictures, and
+advanced with it to her father.
+
+"Now, papa," she said, with a look of malice in her eyes, "did the
+gentleman who made that drawing have to know anything about chemistry or
+the physical sciences?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DRAWING LESSON.
+
+
+For a moment Monsieur Dalize was disconcerted, and knew not what to say
+in answer. Happily, Monsieur Roger came to his aid. He took the book
+from Miette's hands, looked at the engraving, and said, quietly,--
+
+"Why, certainly, my dear young friend, the gentleman who made that
+drawing ought to know something about chemistry and physical science."
+
+"How so?" said Miette, astonished.
+
+"Why, if he did not know the laws of physical science and of chemistry,
+he has, none the less, and perhaps even without knowing it himself,
+availed himself of the results of chemistry and physical science."
+
+Miette took the book back again, looked at the drawing with care, and
+said,--
+
+"Still, there are not in this drawing instruments or apparatus, or
+machines such as I have seen in my brother's books."
+
+"But," answered Monsieur Roger, smiling, "it is not necessary that you
+should see instruments and apparatus and machines, as you say, to be in
+the presence of physical phenomena; and I assure you, my dear child,
+that this drawing which is under our eyes is connected with chemistry
+and physical science."
+
+Miette now looked up at Monsieur Roger to see if he was not making fun
+of her. Monsieur Roger translated this dumb interrogation, and said,--
+
+"Come, now! what does this drawing represent? Tell me yourself."
+
+"Why, it represents two peasants,--a man and a woman,--who have returned
+home wet in the storm, and who are warming and drying themselves before
+the fire."
+
+"It is, in fact, exactly that."
+
+"Very well, sir?" asked Miette.
+
+And in this concise answer she meant to say, "In all that, what do you
+see that is connected with chemistry or physical science?"
+
+"Very well," continued Monsieur Roger; "do you see this light mist, this
+vapor, which is rising from the cloak that the peasant is drying before
+the fire?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, that is physical science," said Monsieur Roger.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"How do you mean?" asked Miette.
+
+"I will explain in a moment. Let us continue to examine the picture. Do
+you see that a portion of the wood is reduced to ashes?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you also remark the flame and the smoke which are rising up the
+chimney?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is chemistry."
+
+"Ah!" said Miss Miette, at a loss for words.
+
+Every one was listening to Monsieur Roger, some of them interested, the
+others amused. Miette glanced over at her friend Paul.
+
+"What do you think of that?" she asked.
+
+Paul did not care to reply. Albert wished to speak, but he stopped at a
+gesture from his father. Monsieur Dalize knew that the real interest of
+this scene lay with Monsieur Roger, the scientist, who was already loved
+by all this little world. Miette, as nobody else answered, returned to
+Monsieur Roger.
+
+"But why," she asked, "is that physical science? Why is it chemistry?"
+
+"Because it is physical science and chemistry," said Monsieur Roger,
+simply.
+
+"Oh, but you have other reasons to give us!" said Madame Dalize, who
+understood what Monsieur Roger was thinking of.
+
+"Yes," added Miette.
+
+And even Paul, with unusual curiosity, nodded his head affirmatively.
+
+"The reasons will be very long to explain, and would bore you," said
+Monsieur Dalize, certain that he would in this way provoke a protest.
+
+The protest, in fact, came.
+
+Monsieur Roger was obliged to speak.
+
+"Well," said he, still addressing himself to Miss Miette, "this drawing
+is concerned with physical science, because the peasant, in placing his
+cloak before the heat of the fire, causes the phenomenon of evaporation
+to take place. The vapor which escapes from the damp cloth is water, is
+nothing but water, and will always be water under a different form. It
+is water modified, and modified for a moment, because this vapor, coming
+against the cold wall or other cold objects, will condense. That is to
+say, it will become again liquid water,--water similar to that which it
+was a moment ago; and that is a physical phenomenon,--for physical
+science aims to study the modifications which alter the form, the color,
+the appearance of bodies, but only their temporary modifications, which
+leave intact all the properties of bodies. Our drawing is concerned with
+chemistry, because the piece of wood which burns disappears, leaving in
+its place cinders in the hearth and gases which escape through the
+chimney. Here there is a complete modification, an absolute change of
+the piece of wood. Do what you will, you would be unable, by collecting
+together the cinders and gases, to put together again the log of wood
+which has been burned; and that is a chemical phenomenon,--for the aim
+of chemistry is to study the durable and permanent modifications, after
+which bodies retain none of their original properties. Another example
+may make more easy this distinction between physical science and
+chemistry. Suppose that you put into the fire a bar of iron. That bar
+will expand and become red. Its color, its form, its dimensions will be
+modified, but it will always remain a bar of iron. That is a physical
+phenomenon. Instead of this bar of iron, put in the fire a bit of
+sulphur. It will flame up and burn in disengaging a gas of a peculiar
+odor, which is called sulphuric acid. This sulphuric-acid gas can be
+condensed and become a liquid, but it no longer contains the properties
+of sulphur. It is no longer a piece of sulphur, and can never again
+become a piece of sulphur. The modification of this body is therefore
+durable, and therefore permanent. Now, that is a chemical phenomenon."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped for a moment; then, paying no apparent attention
+to Paul, who, however, was listening far more attentively than one could
+imagine he would, he looked at Miette, and said,--
+
+"I don't know, my child, if I have explained myself clearly enough; but
+you must certainly understand that in their case the artist has
+represented, whether he wished to or not, the physical phenomenon and
+the chemical phenomenon."
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Miette, "I have understood quite well."
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Dalize, "since you are so good a teacher, don't
+you think that you could, during vacation, cause a little chemistry and
+a little physical science to enter into that little head?" And he
+pointed to Paul Solange.
+
+The latter, notwithstanding the sentiment of respectful sympathy which
+he felt for Monsieur Roger, and although he had listened with interest
+to his explanations, could not prevent a gesture of fear, so pronounced
+that everybody began to laugh.
+
+Miette, who wished to console her good friend Paul and obtain his pardon
+for her teasing, came up to him, and said,--
+
+"Come, console yourself, Paul; I will let you take my portrait a dozen
+times, as you did last year,--although it is very tiresome to pose for a
+portrait."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE TOWER OF HEURTEBIZE.
+
+
+Next morning at six o'clock Paul Solange opened the door of the chateau
+and stepped out on to the lawn. He held a sketch-book in his hand. He
+directed his steps along a narrow pathway, shaded by young elms, towards
+one of the gates of the park. At a turning in the alley he found himself
+face to face with Monsieur Roger, who was walking slowly and
+thoughtfully. Paul stopped, and in his surprise could not help
+saying,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger, already up?"
+
+Monsieur answered, smiling,--
+
+"But you also, Master Paul, you are, like me, already up. Are you
+displeased to meet me?"
+
+"Oh, no, sir," Paul hastened to say, blushing a little. "Why should I be
+displeased at meeting you?"
+
+"Then, may I ask you where you are going so early in the morning?"
+
+"Over there," said Paul, stretching his hand towards a high wooded hill:
+"over there to Heurtebize."
+
+"And what are you going to do over there?"
+
+Paul answered by showing his sketch-book.
+
+"Ah, you are going to draw?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am going to draw, to take a sketch of the tower; that old
+tower which you see on the right side of the hill."
+
+"Well, Master Paul, will you be so kind," asked Monsieur Roger, "as to
+allow me to go with you and explore this old tower?"
+
+Paul, on hearing this proposal, which he could not refuse, made an
+involuntary movement of dismay, exactly similar to that he had made the
+night before.
+
+"Oh, fear nothing," said Monsieur Roger, good-naturedly. "I will not
+bore you either with physical science nor chemistry. I hope you will
+accept me, therefore, as your companion on the way, without any
+apprehensions of that kind of annoyance."
+
+"Then, let us go, sir," answered Paul, a little ashamed to have had his
+thoughts so easily guessed.
+
+They took a short cut across the fields, passing wide expanses of
+blossoming clover; they crossed a road, they skirted fields of wheat and
+of potatoes. At last they arrived upon the wooded hill of Heurtebize, at
+the foot of the old tower, which still proudly raised its head above the
+valleys.
+
+"What a lovely landscape!" said Monsieur Roger, when he had got his
+breath.
+
+"The view is beautiful," said Paul, softly; "but it is nothing like the
+view you get up above there."
+
+"Up above?" said Monsieur Roger, without understanding.
+
+"Yes, from the summit of the tower."
+
+"You have climbed up the tower?"
+
+"Several times."
+
+"But it is falling into ruins, this poor tower; it has only one fault,
+that of having existed for two or three hundred years."
+
+"It is indeed very old," answered Paul; "it is the last vestige of the
+old chateau of Sainte-Gemme, which, it is said, was built in the
+sixteenth century, or possibly even a century or two earlier; nobody is
+quite certain as to the date; at all events, the former proprietors
+several years ago determined to preserve it, and they even commenced
+some repairs upon it. The interior stairway has been put in part into
+sufficiently good condition to enable you to use it, if you at the same
+time call a little bit of gymnastics to your aid, as you will have to
+do at a few places. And I have used it in this way very often; but
+please now be good enough to----"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Paul stopped, hesitating.
+
+"Good enough to what? Tell me."
+
+Then Paul Solange added,--
+
+"To say nothing of this to Madame Dalize. That would make her uneasy."
+
+"Not only will I say nothing, my dear young friend, but I will join you
+in the ascent,--for I have the greatest desire to do what you are going
+to do, and to ascend the tower with you."
+
+Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, and said, quickly,--
+
+"But, sir, there is danger."
+
+"Bah! as there is none for you, why should there be danger for me?"
+
+Somewhat embarrassed, Paul replied,--
+
+"I am young, sir; more active than you, perhaps, and----"
+
+"If that is your only reason, my friend, do not disturb yourself. Let us
+try the ascent."
+
+"On one condition, sir."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"That I go up first."
+
+"Yes, my dear friend, I consent. You shall go first," said Monsieur
+Roger, who would have himself suggested this if the idea had not come to
+Paul.
+
+Both of them, Monsieur Roger and Paul, had at this moment the same idea
+of self-sacrifice. Paul said to himself, "If any accident happens, it
+will happen to me, and not to Monsieur Roger." And Monsieur Roger, sure
+of his own strength, thought, "If Paul should happen to fall, very
+likely I may be able to catch him and save him."
+
+Luckily, the ascent, though somewhat difficult, was accomplished
+victoriously, and Monsieur Roger was enabled to recognize that the
+modified admiration which Paul Solange felt for the landscape, as seen
+from below, was entirely justified.
+
+Paul asked,--
+
+"How high is this tower? A hundred feet?"
+
+"Less than that, I think," answered Monsieur Roger. "Still, it will be
+easy to find out exactly in a moment."
+
+"In a moment?" asked Paul.
+
+"Yes, in a moment."
+
+"Without descending?"
+
+"No; we will remain where we are."
+
+Paul made a gesture which clearly indicated, "I would like to see that."
+
+Monsieur Roger understood.
+
+"There is no lack of pieces of stone in this tower; take one," said he
+to Paul.
+
+Paul obeyed.
+
+"You will let this stone fall to the earth at the very moment that I
+tell you to do so."
+
+Monsieur Roger drew out his watch and looked carefully at the
+second-hand.
+
+"Now, let go," he said.
+
+Paul opened his hand; the stone fell. It could be heard striking the
+soil at the foot of the tower. Monsieur Roger, who during the fall of
+the stone had had his eyes fixed upon his watch, said,--
+
+"The tower is not very high." Then he added, after a moment of
+reflection, "The tower is sixty-two and a half feet in height."
+
+Paul looked at Monsieur Roger, thinking that he was laughing at him.
+Monsieur Roger lifted his eyes to Paul; he looked quite serious. Then
+Paul said, softly,--
+
+"The tower is sixty feet high?"
+
+"Sixty-two and a half feet,--for the odd two and a half feet must not be
+forgotten in our computation."
+
+Paul was silent. Then, seeing that Monsieur Roger was ready to smile,
+and mistaking the cause of this smile, he said,--
+
+"You are joking, are you not? You cannot know that the tower is really
+sixty feet high?"
+
+"Sixty-two feet and six inches," repeated Monsieur Roger again. "That is
+exact. Do you want to have it proved to you?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," said Paul Solange, with real curiosity.
+
+"Very well. Go back to the chateau, and bring me a ball of twine and a
+yard-measure."
+
+"I run," said Paul.
+
+"Take care!" cried Monsieur Roger, seeing how quickly Paul was hurrying
+down the tower.
+
+When Paul had safely reached the ground, Monsieur Roger said to himself,
+with an air of satisfaction,--
+
+"Come, come! we will make something out of that boy yet!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
+
+
+Paul returned to the tower more quickly than Monsieur Roger had
+expected. Instead of returning to the chateau, he had taken the shortest
+cut, had reached the village, and had procured there the two things
+wanted. He climbed up the tower and arrived beside Monsieur Roger,
+holding out the ball of twine and the yard-stick.
+
+"You are going to see, you little doubter, that I was not wrong," said
+Monsieur Roger.
+
+He tied a stone to the twine, and let it down outside the tower to the
+ground.
+
+"This length of twine," he said, "represents exactly the height of the
+tower, does it not?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Paul.
+
+Monsieur Roger made a knot in the twine at the place where it rested on
+the top of the tower. Then he asked Paul to take the yard-stick which he
+had brought, and to hold it extended between his two hands. Then,
+drawing up the twine which hung outside the tower, he measured it yard
+by yard. Paul counted. When he had reached the number sixty, he could
+not help bending over to see how much remained of the twine.
+
+"Ah, sir," he cried, "I think you have won."
+
+"Let us finish our count," said Monsieur Roger, quietly.
+
+And Paul counted,--
+
+"Sixty-one, sixty-two,--sixty-two feet----"
+
+"And?"
+
+"And six inches!" cried Paul.
+
+"I have won, as you said, my young friend," cried Monsieur Roger, who
+enjoyed Paul's surprise. "Now let us cautiously descend and return to
+the chateau, where the breakfast-bell will soon ring."
+
+The descent was made in safety, and they directed their steps towards
+Sainte-Gemme. Paul walked beside Monsieur Roger without saying anything.
+He was deep in thought.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Monsieur Roger, understanding what was going on in the brain of his
+friend, took care not to disturb him. He waited, hoping for an answer.
+His hope was soon realized. As they reached the park, Paul, who, after
+thinking a great deal, had failed to solve the difficulty, said, all of
+a sudden,--
+
+"Monsieur Roger!"
+
+"What, my friend?"
+
+"How did you measure the tower?"
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at Paul, and, affecting a serious air, he said,--
+
+"It is impossible, entirely impossible for me to answer."
+
+"Impossible?" cried Paul, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, impossible."
+
+"Why, please?"
+
+"Because in answering I will break the promise that I have made
+you,--the promise to say nothing about chemistry or physical science."
+
+"Ah!" said Paul, becoming silent again.
+
+Monsieur Roger glanced at his companion from the corner of his eye,
+knowing that his curiosity would soon awake again. At the end of the
+narrow, shady pathway they soon saw the red bricks of the chateau
+shining in the sun; but Paul had not yet renewed his question, and
+Monsieur Roger began to be a little uneasy,--for, if Paul held his
+tongue, it would show that his curiosity had vanished, and another
+occasion to revive it would be difficult to find.
+
+Luckily, Paul decided to speak at the very moment when they reached the
+chateau.
+
+"Then," said he, expressing the idea which was uppermost,--"Then it is
+physical science?"
+
+Monsieur Roger asked, in an indifferent tone,--
+
+"What is physical science?"
+
+"Your method of measuring the tower."
+
+"Yes, it is physical science, as you say. Consequently, you see very
+well that I cannot answer you."
+
+"Ah, Monsieur Roger," said Paul, embarrassed, "you are laughing at me."
+
+"Not at all, my friend. I made a promise; I must hold to it. I have a
+great deal of liking for you, and I don't want you to dislike me."
+
+"Oh, sir!"
+
+Suddenly they heard the voice of Monsieur Dalize, who cried,
+cheerfully,--
+
+"See, they are already quarrelling!"
+
+For some moments Monsieur Dalize, at the door of the vestibule,
+surrounded by his wife and his children, had been gazing at the two
+companions. Monsieur Roger and Paul approached.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Monsieur Dalize, shaking hands with his
+friend.
+
+"A very strange thing has happened," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"Simply that Master Paul wants me to speak to him of physical science."
+
+An astonished silence, soon followed by a general laugh, greeted these
+words. Miss Miette took a step forward, looked at Paul with an uneasy
+air, and said,--
+
+"Are you sick, my little Paul?"
+
+Paul, confused, kept silent, but he answered by a reproachful look the
+ironical question of his friend Miette.
+
+"But whence could such a change have come?" asked Madame Dalize,
+addressing Monsieur Roger. "Explain to us what has happened."
+
+"Here are the facts," answered Monsieur Roger. "We had climbed up the
+tower of Heurtebize----"
+
+Madame Dalize started, and turned a look of uneasiness towards Paul.
+
+"Paul was not at fault," Monsieur Roger hastened to add. "I was the
+guilty one. Well, we were up there, when Master Paul got the idea of
+estimating the height of the tower. I answered that nothing was more
+simple than to know it at once. I asked him to let fall a stone. I
+looked at my watch while the stone was falling, and I said, 'The tower
+is sixty-two feet and six inches high.' Master Paul seemed to be
+astonished. He went after a yard-stick and some twine. We measured the
+tower, and Master Paul has recognized that the tower is in fact
+sixty-two feet and six inches high. Now he wants me to tell him how I
+have been able so simply, with so little trouble, to learn the height.
+That is a portion of physical science; and, as I made Master Paul a
+promise this very morning not to speak to him of physical science nor of
+chemistry, you see it is impossible for me to answer."
+
+Monsieur Dalize understood at once what his friend Roger had in view,
+and, assuming the same air, he answered,--
+
+"Certainly, it is impossible; you are perfectly right. You promised; you
+must keep your promise."
+
+"Unless," said Miss Miette, taking sides with her friend Paul,--"unless
+Paul releases Monsieur Roger from his promise."
+
+"You are entirely right, my child," said Monsieur Roger; "should Paul
+release me sufficiently to ask me to answer him. But, as I remarked to
+you a moment ago, I fear that he will repent too quickly, and take a
+dislike to me. That I should be very sorry for."
+
+"No, sir, I will not repent. I promise you that."
+
+"Very well," said Miette; "there is another promise. You know that you
+will have to keep it."
+
+"But," answered Monsieur Roger, turning to Paul, "it will be necessary
+for me to speak to you of weight, of the fall of bodies, of gravitation;
+and I am very much afraid that that will weary you."
+
+"No, sir," answered Paul, very seriously, "that will not weary me. On
+the contrary, that will interest me, if it teaches me how you managed to
+calculate the height of the tower."
+
+"It will certainly teach you that."
+
+"Then I am content," said Paul.
+
+"And I also," said Monsieur Roger to himself, happy to have attained his
+object so soon.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SMOKE WHICH FALLS.
+
+
+In the evening, after dinner, Monsieur Roger, to whom Paul recalled his
+promise, asked Miette to go and find him a pebble in the pathway before
+the chateau. When he had the bit of stone in his hand, Monsieur Roger
+let it fall from the height of about three feet.
+
+"As you have just heard and seen," said he, addressing Paul, "this stone
+in falling from a small height produces only a feeble shock, but if it
+falls from the height of the house upon the flagstones of the pavement,
+the shock would be violent enough to break it."
+
+Monsieur Roger interrupted himself, and put this question to Paul:
+
+"Possibly you may have asked yourself why this stone should fall. Why do
+bodies fall?"
+
+"Goodness knows," said the small voice of Miss Miette in the midst of
+the silence that followed.
+
+"Miette," said Madame Dalize, "be serious, and don't answer for others."
+
+"But, mamma, I am sure that Paul would have answered the same as I
+did:--would you not, Paul?"
+
+Paul bent his head slightly as a sign that Miette was not mistaken.
+
+"Well," continued Monsieur Roger, "another one before you did ask
+himself this question. It was a young man of twenty-three years, named
+Newton. He found himself one fine evening in a garden, sitting under an
+apple-tree, when an apple fell at his feet. This common fact, whose
+cause had never awakened the attention of anybody, filled all his
+thoughts; and, as the moon was shining in the heavens, Newton asked
+himself why the moon did not fall like the apple."
+
+"That is true," said Miette; "why does not the moon fall?"
+
+"Listen, and you will hear," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"By much reflection, by hard work and calculation, Newton made an
+admirable discovery,--that of universal attraction. Yes, he discovered
+that all bodies, different though they may be, attract each other: they
+draw towards each other; the bodies which occupy the celestial
+spaces,--planets and suns,--as well as the bodies which are found upon
+our earth. The force which attracts bodies towards the earth, which made
+this stone fall, as Newton's apple fell, has received the name of
+weight. Weight, therefore, is the attraction of the earth for articles
+which are on its surface. Why does this table, around which we find
+ourselves, remain in the same place? Why does it not slide or fly away?
+Simply because it is retained by the attraction of the earth. I have
+told you that all bodies attract each other. It is therefore quite true
+that in the same way as the earth attracts the table, so does the table
+attract the earth."
+
+"Like a loadstone," said Albert Dalize.
+
+"Well, you may compare the earth in this instance to a loadstone. The
+loadstone draws the iron, and iron draws the loadstone, exactly as the
+earth and the table draw each other; but you can understand that the
+earth attracts the table with far more force than the table attracts the
+earth."
+
+"Yes," said Miette; "because the earth is bigger than the table."
+
+"Exactly so. It has been discovered that bodies attract each other in
+proportion to their size,--that is to say, the quantity of matter
+that they contain. On the other hand, the farther bodies are from each
+other the less they attract each other. I should translate in this
+fashion the scientific formula which tells us that bodies attract each
+other in an inverse ratio to the square of the distance. I would remind
+you that the square of a number is the product obtained by multiplying
+that number by itself. So all bodies are subject to that force which we
+call weight; all substances, all matter abandoned to itself, falls to
+the earth."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Just here Miss Miette shifted uneasily on her chair, wishing to make an
+observation, but not daring.
+
+"Come, Miss Miette," said Monsieur Roger, who saw this manoeuvre, "you
+have something to tell us. Your little tongue is itching to say
+something. Well, speak; we should all like to hear you."
+
+"Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "is not smoke a substance?"
+
+"Certainly; the word substance signifies something that exists. Smoke
+exists. Therefore it is a substance."
+
+"Then," replied Miette, with an air of contentment with herself, "as
+smoke is a substance, there is one substance which does not fall to the
+earth. Indeed, it does just the opposite."
+
+"Ah! Miss Miette wants to catch me," said Monsieur Roger.
+
+Miette made a gesture of modest denial, but at heart she was very proud
+of the effect which she had produced, for every one looked at her with
+interest.
+
+"To the smoke of which you speak," continued Monsieur Roger, "you might
+add balloons, and even clouds."
+
+"Certainly, that is true," answered Miette, naeively.
+
+"Very well; although smoke and balloons rise in the air instead of
+falling, although clouds remain suspended above our heads, smoke and
+balloons and clouds are none the less bodies with weight. What prevents
+their fall is the fact that they find themselves in the midst of the
+air, which is heavier than they are. Take away the air and they would
+fall."
+
+"Take away the air?" cried Miette, with an air of doubt, thinking that
+she was facing an impossibility.
+
+"Yes, take away the air," continued Monsieur Roger; "for that can be
+done. There even exists for this purpose a machine, which is called an
+air-pump. You place under a glass globe a lighted candle. Then you make
+a vacuum,--that is to say, by the aid of the air-pump you exhaust the
+air in the globe; soon the candle is extinguished for want of air, but
+the wick of the candle continues for some instants to produce smoke.
+Now, you think, I suppose, that that smoke rises in the globe?"
+
+"Certainly," said Miette.
+
+"No, no, not at all; it falls."
+
+"Ah! I should like to see that!" cried Miette.
+
+"And, in order to give you the pleasure of seeing this, I suppose you
+would like an air-pump?"
+
+"Well, papa will buy me one.--Say, papa, won't you do it, so we may see
+the smoke fall?"
+
+"No, indeed!" said Monsieur Dalize; "how can we introduce here
+instruments of physical science during vacation? What would Paul say?"
+
+"Paul would say nothing. I am sure that he is just as anxious as I am to
+see smoke fall.--Are you not, Paul?"
+
+And Paul Solange, already half-conquered, made a sign from the corner of
+his eye to his little friend that her demand was not at all entirely
+disagreeable to him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger, hiding his satisfaction, seemed to attach no importance
+to this request of Miette under the assent given by Paul. Wishing to
+profit by the awakened curiosity of his little friend, he hastened to
+continue, and said,--
+
+"Who wants to bring me a bit of cork and a glass of water?"
+
+"I! I!" cried Miette, running.
+
+When Miette had returned with the articles, Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"I told you a moment ago that if balloons and smoke and clouds do not
+fall, it is because they find themselves in the midst of air which is
+heavier than they are. I am going to try an experiment which will make
+you understand what I have said."
+
+Monsieur Roger took the cork, raised his hand above his head, and opened
+his fingers: the cork fell.
+
+"Is it a heavy body?" said he. "Did it fall to the ground?"
+
+"Yes," cried Paul and Miette together.
+
+Then Monsieur Roger placed the glass of water in front of him, took the
+cork, which Miette had picked up, and forced it with his finger to the
+bottom of the glass; then he withdrew his finger, and the cork mounted
+up to the surface again.
+
+"Did you see?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Yes," said Miss Miette.
+
+"You remarked something?"
+
+"Certainly: the cork would not fall, and you were obliged to force it
+into the water with your finger."
+
+"And not only," continued Monsieur Roger, "it would not fall, as you
+say, but it even hastened to rise again as soon as it was freed from the
+pressure of my finger. We were wrong, then, when we said that this same
+cork is a heavy body?"
+
+"Ah, I don't know," said Miette, a little confused.
+
+"Still, we must know. Did this cork fall just now upon the ground?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then it was a heavy body?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And now that it remains on the surface of the water, that it no longer
+precipitates itself towards the earth, it is no longer a heavy body?"
+
+This time Miette knew not what to answer.
+
+"Well, be very sure," continued Monsieur Roger, "that it is heavy. If it
+does not fall to the bottom of the water, it is because the water is
+heavier than it. The water is an obstacle to it. Nevertheless, it is
+attracted, like all bodies, towards the earth, or, more precisely,
+towards the centre of the earth."
+
+"Towards the centre of the earth?" repeated Miette.
+
+"Yes, towards the centre of the earth. Can Miss Miette procure for me
+two pieces of string and two heavy bodies,--for example, small pieces of
+lead?"
+
+"String, yes; but where can I get lead?" asked Miette.
+
+"Look in the box where I keep my fishing-tackle," said Monsieur Dalize
+to his daughter, "and find two sinkers there."
+
+Miette disappeared, and came back in a moment with the articles desired.
+Monsieur Roger tied the little pieces of lead to the two separate
+strings. Then he told Miette to hold the end of one of these strings in
+her fingers. He himself did the same with the other string. The two
+strings from which the sinkers were suspended swayed to and fro for some
+seconds, and then stopped in a fixed position.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Is it not evident," said Monsieur Roger, "that the direction of our
+strings is the same as the direction in which the force which we call
+weight attracts the bodies of lead? In fact, if you cut the string, the
+lead would go in that direction. The string which Miss Miette is
+holding and that which I hold myself seem to us to be parallel,--that is
+to say, that it seems impossible they should ever meet, however long the
+distance which they travel. Well, that is an error. For these two
+strings, if left to themselves, would meet exactly at the centre of the
+earth."
+
+"Then," said Miette, "if we detach the sinkers, they would fall, and
+would join each other exactly at the centre of the earth?"
+
+"Yes, if they encountered no obstacle; but they would be stopped by the
+resistance of the ground. They would attempt to force themselves
+through, and would not succeed."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Why, if the ground which supports us did not resist, we would not be at
+this moment chatting quietly here on the surface of the earth; drawn by
+gravity, we would all be----"
+
+"At the centre of the earth!" cried Miette.
+
+"Exactly. And it might very well happen that I would not then be in a
+mood to explain to you the attraction of gravity."
+
+"Yes, that is very probable," said Miss Miette, philosophically. Then
+she added, "If, instead of letting these bits of lead fall upon the
+ground, we let them fall in water?"
+
+"Well, they would approach the centre of the earth for the entire depth
+of the water."
+
+Miette had mechanically placed the sinker above the glass of water. She
+let it fall into it; the cork still swam above.
+
+"Why does the lead fall to the bottom of the water, and why does the
+cork not fall?"
+
+"Why," said Albert, "because lead is heavier than cork."
+
+Miette looked at her brother, and then turned her eyes towards Monsieur
+Roger, as if the explanation given by Albert explained nothing, and
+finally she said,--
+
+"Of course lead is heavier than cork; but why is it heavier?"
+
+"My child, you want to know a great deal," said Madame Dalize.
+
+"Ah, mamma, it is not my fault,--it is Paul's, who wants to know, and
+does not like to ask. I am obliged to ask questions in his stead."
+
+That was true. Paul asked no questions, but he listened with attention,
+and his eyes seemed to approve the questions asked by his friend Miette.
+Monsieur Roger had observed with pleasure the conduct of his young
+friend, and it was for him, while he was looking at Miette, the latter
+continued:
+
+"Tell us, Monsieur Roger, why is lead heavier than cork?"
+
+"Because its density is greater," answered Monsieur Roger, seriously.
+
+"Ah!" murmured Miette, disappointed; and, as Monsieur Roger kept silent,
+she added, "What is density?"
+
+"It would take a long time to explain."
+
+"Tell me all the same."
+
+Monsieur Roger saw at this moment that Paul was beckoning to Miette to
+insist.
+
+"Goodness!" said he, smiling at Paul; "Miss Miette was right just now.
+It is you that wish me to continue the questions!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+WHY LEAD IS HEAVIER THAN CORK.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger continued in these words:
+
+"We say that a body has density when it is thick and packed close. We
+give the name of density to the quantity of matter contained in a body
+of a certain size.
+
+"Let us suppose that this bit of lead has the same bulk--that is to say,
+that it is exactly as big--as the cork. Suppose, also, that we have a
+piece of gold and a piece of stone, also of the same bulk as the cork,
+and that we weigh each different piece in a pair of scales. We would
+find that cork weighs less than stone, that stone weighs less than lead,
+and that lead weighs less than gold. But, in order to compare these
+differences with each other, it has been necessary to adopt a standard
+of weight.
+
+"I now return to Miss Miette's question,--'Why is lead heavier than
+cork?'--a question to which I had solemnly answered, 'Because its
+density is greater.' Miss Miette must now understand that cork, weighing
+four times less than water, cannot sink in water, although that process
+is very easy to lead, which weighs eleven times more than water. And
+yet," said Monsieur Roger, "the problem is not perfectly solved, and I
+am quite sure that Miss Miette is not entirely satisfied."
+
+Miss Miette remained silent.
+
+"I was not mistaken. Miss Miette is not satisfied," said Monsieur Roger;
+"and she is right,--for I have not really explained to her why lead is
+heavier than cork."
+
+Miss Miette made a gesture, which seemed to say, "That is what I was
+expecting."
+
+"I said just now," continued Monsieur Roger, "that the density of a body
+was the quantity of matter contained in this body in a certain bulk. Now
+does Miss Miette know what matter is?"
+
+"No."
+
+"No! Now, there is the important thing: because, in explaining to her
+what matter is, I will make her understand why lead is heavier than
+cork."
+
+"Well, I am listening," said Miette.
+
+And Master Paul respectfully added, in an undertone, "We are listening."
+
+Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"The name of 'bodies' has been given to all objects which, in infinite
+variety, surround us and reveal themselves to us by the touch, taste,
+sight, and smell. All these bodies present distinct properties; but
+there are certain numbers of properties which are common to all. Those
+all occupy a certain space; all are expanded by heat, are contracted by
+cold, and can even pass from the solid to the liquid state, and from the
+liquid to the gaseous state. They all possess a certain amount of
+elasticity, a certain amount of compressibility,--in a word, there exist
+in all bodies common characteristics: so they have given a common name
+to those possessing these common properties, and called that which
+constitutes bodies 'matter.' Bodies are not compact, as you may imagine.
+They are, on the contrary, formed by the union of infinitely small
+particles, all equal to each other and maintained at distances that are
+relatively considerable by the force of attraction.
+
+"These infinitely small particles have received the names of atoms or
+molecules. Imagine a pile of bullets, and remark the empty spaces left
+between them, and you will have a picture of the formation of bodies. I
+must acknowledge to you that no one has yet seen the molecules of a
+body. Their size is so small that no microscope can ever be made keen
+enough to see them. A wise man has reached this conclusion: That if you
+were to look at a drop of water through a magnifying instrument which
+made it appear as large as the whole earth, the molecules which compose
+this drop of water would seem hardly bigger than bits of bird-shot.
+Still, this conception of the formation of bodies is proved by certain
+properties which matter enjoys. Among these properties I must especially
+single out divisibility. Matter can be divided into parts so small that
+it is difficult to conceive of them. Gold-beaters, for instance, succeed
+in making gold-leaf so thin that it is necessary to place sixty thousand
+one on top of the other to arrive at the thickness of an inch. I will
+give you two other examples of 'divisibility' that are still more
+striking. For years, hardly losing any of its weight, a grain of musk
+spreads a strong odor. In a tubful of water one single drop of indigo
+communicates its color. The smallness of these particles of musk which
+strike the sense of smell and of these particles of indigo which color
+several quarts of water is beyond our imagination to conceive of. And
+these examples prove that bodies are nothing but a conglomeration of
+molecules. Now, if lead is heavier than cork, it is because in an equal
+volume it contains a far more considerable quantity of molecules, and
+because these molecules are themselves heavier than the molecules of
+cork. And now I shall stop," said Monsieur Roger, "after this long but
+necessary explanation. I will continue on the day when Miss Miette will
+present to me the famous air-pump."
+
+"That will not be very long from now," said Miss Miette to herself.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE AIR-PUMP.
+
+
+Monsieur Roger had deferred his explanations for three days. He was
+awaiting the air-pump which Monsieur Dalize, at Miette's desire, had
+decided to purchase in Paris. Monsieur Roger judged that this
+interruption and this rest were necessary. In this way his hearers would
+not be tired too soon, and their curiosity, remaining unsatisfied for
+the moment, would become more eager. He was not mistaken; and when a
+large box containing the air-pump and other objects ordered by Monsieur
+Roger arrived, a series of cries of astonishment came from the pretty
+mouth of Miss Miette. Paul Solange, however, remained calm; but
+Monsieur Roger knew that his interest had been really awakened. They
+spent the afternoon in unpacking the air-pump, and Monsieur Roger was
+called upon at once to explain the instrument.
+
+"The machine," he said, "is called an air-pump because it is intended to
+exhaust air contained in a vase or other receptacle. To exhaust the air
+in a vase is to make a vacuum in that vase. You will see that this
+machine is composed of two cylinders, or pump-barrels, out of which
+there comes a tube, which opens in the centre of this disk of glass.
+Upon this disk we carefully place this globe of glass; and now we are
+going to exhaust the air contained in the globe."
+
+"We are going to make a vacuum," said Miette.
+
+"Exactly." And Monsieur Roger commenced to work the lever. "You will
+take notice," he said, "that when the lever is lowered at the left the
+round piece of leather placed in the cylinder on the left side is
+lowered, and that the bit of leather in the right-hand cylinder is
+raised. In the same way, when the lever is lowered at the right, it is
+the right-hand piece of leather which is lowered, while the piece of
+leather at the left is raised in its turn. These round bits of leather,
+whose importance is considerable, are called pistons. Each piston is
+hollow and opens into the air on top, while at the bottom, which
+communicates with that portion of the cylinder situated below the
+piston, there is a little hole, which is stopped by a valve. This valve
+is composed of a little round bit of metal, bearing on top a vertical
+stem, around which is rolled a spring somewhat in the shape of a coil or
+ringlet. The ends of this spring rest on one side on a little bit of
+metal, on the other on a fixed rest, pierced by a hole in which the stem
+of the valve can freely go up and down. When I work the lever, as I am
+doing now, you see that on the left side the piston lowers itself in the
+cylinder, and that the piston on the right is raised. Now, what is going
+on in the interior of each cylinder? The piston of the left, in
+lowering, disturbs the air contained in the cylinder,--it forces it
+down, it compresses it. Under this compression the coiled spring gives
+way, the round bit of metal is raised, and opens the little hole which
+puts the under part of the piston in communication with the atmosphere.
+The air contained in the cylinder passes in this way across the piston
+and disperses itself in the air which surrounds us. But the spring makes
+the bit of metal fall back again and closes the communication in the
+right-hand cylinder as soon as the piston commences to rise and the
+pressure of the air in the cylinder is not greater than the pressure of
+the atmosphere outside. Lastly, the tube which unites the cylinders to
+the glass globe opens at the end of each cylinder, but a little on the
+side. It is closed by a little cork, carried by a metal stem which
+traverses the whole piston. When I cause one of the pistons to lower,
+the piston brings the stem down with it. The cork at once comes in
+contact with the hole, which closes; the stem is then stopped, but the
+piston continues to descend by sliding over it. In the other
+cylinder, in which the piston is raised, it commences by raising the
+stem, which re-establishes communication with the glass globe; but as
+soon as the top of the stem comes in contact with the upper part of the
+cylinder, it stops and the piston glides over it and continues to rise."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"In this fashion the movements of the cork are very small, and it opens
+and shuts the orifice as soon as one of the pistons begins to descend
+and the other begins to ascend. Consequently, by working the lever for a
+certain space of time, I will finish by exhausting the globe of all the
+air which it contains."
+
+"May I try to exhaust it?" asked Miette, timidly.
+
+"Try your hand, Miss Miette," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+Miette began to work the lever of the air-pump, which she did at first
+very easily, but soon she stopped.
+
+"I cannot do it any more," said she.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it is too heavy."
+
+"In fact, it is too heavy," said Monsieur Roger; "but tell me, what is
+it that is too heavy?"
+
+Miette sought an answer.
+
+"Oh, I do not know. It is the lever or the pistons which have become all
+of a sudden too heavy."
+
+"Not at all; that is not it. Neither the lever nor the pistons can
+change their weight."
+
+"Then, what is it that is so heavy?"
+
+"Come, now! Try once more, with all your strength."
+
+Miette endeavored to lower the right-hand side of the lever: she could
+not succeed.
+
+"Why," said she, "it is, of course, the piston on the left which has
+become too heavy, as I cannot make it rise again."
+
+"You are right, Miss Miette. It is the piston in the left cylinder which
+cannot rise; but it has not changed its weight, as I said,--only it has
+now to support a very considerable weight; and it is that weight which
+you cannot combat."
+
+"What weight is it?" said Miette, who did not understand.
+
+"The weight of the air."
+
+"The weight of the air? But what air?"
+
+"The air which is above it,--the exterior air; the air which weighs down
+this piston, as it weighs us down."
+
+"Does air weigh much?"
+
+"If you are very anxious to know, I will tell you that a wine gallon of
+air weighs about seventy-two grains; and as in the atmosphere--that is
+to say, in the mass of air which surrounds us--there is a very great
+number of gallons, you can imagine that it must represent a respectable
+number of pounds. It has been calculated, in fact, that each square inch
+of the surface of the soil supports a weight of air of a little more
+than sixteen pounds."
+
+"But how is that?" cried Miette. "A while ago there was also a
+considerable quantity of air above the piston, and yet I could make it
+go up very easily."
+
+"Certainly, there was above the piston the same quantity of air as now,
+but there was air also in the globe. Air, like gas, possesses an elastic
+force,--that is to say, that it constantly endeavors to distend its
+molecules, and presses without ceasing upon the sides of the vase which
+contained it, or upon the surrounding air. Now, when you began to work
+the lever there was still enough air in the globe to balance, through
+its elastic force, the air outside; and, as the piston receives an
+almost equal pressure of air from the atmosphere above and from the
+globe below, it is easily raised and lowered. But while you were working
+the lever you took air out of the globe, so that at last there arrived a
+time when so little air remained in this globe that its elastic force
+acted with little power upon the piston. So the piston was submitted to
+only one pressure,--that of the atmosphere; and, as I have just told
+you, the atmosphere weighs heavy enough to withstand your little
+strength. Still, all the air in the globe is not yet exhausted, and a
+stronger person, like Master Paul, for example, could still be able to
+conquer the resistance of the atmosphere and raise the piston."
+
+Paul Solange could not refuse this direct invitation, and he approached
+the air-pump and succeeded in working the lever, though with a certain
+difficulty.
+
+Meanwhile, Monsieur Roger was seeking among the physical instruments
+which had just arrived. He soon found a glass cylinder, whose upper
+opening was closed by a bit of bladder stretched taut and carefully tied
+upon the edges.
+
+"Stop, Master Paul," said he: "we are going to exchange the globe for
+this cylinder, and you will see very readily that the air is heavy. Now
+take away the globe."
+
+But, though Paul tried his best, he could not succeed in obeying this
+order. The globe remained firm in its place.
+
+"That is still another proof of the weight of the air," said Monsieur
+Roger. "The globe is empty of air; and as there is no longer any
+pressure upon it except from outside,--the pressure of the
+atmosphere,--Master Paul is unable to raise it."
+
+"He would be able to raise the glass," said Miss Miette, in a
+questioning tone, "but he cannot lift the air above it?"
+
+"You are exactly right. But you are going to see an experiment which
+will prove it. First, however, it will be necessary to take away the
+globe. I am going to ask Miss Miette to turn this button, which is
+called the key of the air-pump."
+
+Miette turned the key, and then they heard a whistling sound.
+
+"It is the air which is entering the globe," said Monsieur Roger. "Now
+Master Paul can take the globe away."
+
+That was true. When Paul took away the globe, Monsieur Roger put in its
+place the cylinder closed by the bit of bladder. Then he worked the
+handle of the machine again. As the air was withdrawn from the interior
+of the cylinder, the membrane was heard to crackle. Suddenly it burst,
+with a sort of explosion, to the great surprise of Miette and the
+amusement of everybody.
+
+"What is the matter?" said Miette, eagerly.
+
+"The matter is," answered Monsieur Roger, "that the exterior air weighed
+so heavily upon the membrane that it split it; and that is what I want
+to show you. The moment arrived when the pressure of the atmosphere was
+no longer counterbalanced by the elastic force of the air contained in
+the cylinder. Then that exhausted all the air, and the atmosphere came
+down with all its weight upon the membrane, which, after resisting for a
+little while, was torn."
+
+"Is it true, Monsieur Roger," said Miette, "that it is with this machine
+that you can make smoke fall?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Well, then, won't you show that to us?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+DROPS OF RAIN AND HAMMER OF WATER.
+
+
+"I am very willing to show you that," answered Monsieur Roger; "but I
+must have a candle."
+
+Miette ran to the kitchen and succeeded in obtaining that article which
+was once so common, and which is now so rare, known as a candle.
+Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it under the glass globe of the
+air-pump. Then he asked Paul to make a vacuum. At the end of a few
+minutes the candle went out. Monsieur Roger then told Paul to stop.
+
+"Why has the candle gone out?" asked Miette.
+
+"Because it needs air. Master Paul has just exhausted the air necessary
+to the combustion of the candle; but the wick still smokes, and we are
+going to see if the smoke which it produces will rise or fall."
+
+Everybody approached the globe, full of curiosity.
+
+"It falls," cried Miette, "the smoke falls."
+
+And in fact, instead of rising in the globe, the smoke lowered slowly
+and heavily, and fell upon the glass disk of the air-pump.
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "you see that I was right. In a vacuum
+smoke falls: it falls because it no longer finds itself in the midst of
+air which is heavier than it and forms an obstacle to its fall. In the
+same way the cloud in the sky above the chateau would fall if we could
+exhaust the air which is between it and us."
+
+"I am very glad that we cannot," cried Miette.
+
+"And why are you very glad?" asked Madame Dalize.
+
+"Because, mamma, I don't wish any rain to fall."
+
+"Does Miss Miette think, then," said Monsieur Roger, "that if the cloud
+fell rain would fall?"
+
+"Certainly," answered Miss Miette, with a certain amount of logic. "When
+the clouds fall they fall in the form of rain."
+
+"Yes; but supposing that I should exhaust the air which is between the
+cloud and us, the cloud would not fall in a rain, but in a single and
+large mass of water."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Clouds, you doubtless know, are masses of vapor from water. Now, when
+these vapors are sufficiently condensed to acquire a certain weight,
+they can no longer float in the atmosphere, and they fall in the form of
+rain. But they fall in rain because they have to traverse the air in
+order to fall to the ground. Now, the air offers such a resistance to
+this water that it is obliged to separate, to divide itself into small
+drops. If there were no air between the water and the ground, the water
+would not fall in drops of rain, but in a mass, like a solid body; and I
+am going to prove that to you, so as to convince Miss Miette."
+
+Among the various instruments unpacked from the box, Monsieur Roger
+chose a round tube of glass, closed at one end, tapering, and open at
+the other end. He introduced into this tube a certain quantity of water
+so as to half fill it. Then he placed the tube above a little alcohol
+lamp, and made the water boil.
+
+"Remark," said he, "how fully and completely the vapors from the water,
+which are formed by the influence of heat, force out the air which this
+tube encloses in escaping by the open end of the tube."
+
+When Monsieur Roger judged that there no longer remained any air in the
+tube, he begged Monsieur Dalize to hand him the blowpipe. Monsieur
+Dalize then handed to his friend a little instrument of brass, which was
+composed of three parts,--a conical tube, furnished with a mouth, a
+hollow cylinder succeeding to the first tube, and a second tube, equally
+conical, but narrower, and placed at right angles with the hollow
+cylinder. This second tube ended in a very little opening.
+
+Monsieur Roger placed his lips to the opening of the first tube, and
+blew, placing the little opening of the second tube in front of the
+flame of a candle, which Monsieur Dalize had just lit. A long and
+pointed tongue of fire extended itself from the flame of the candle.
+Monsieur Roger placed close to this tongue of fire the tapering and open
+end of the tube in which the water had finished boiling. The air, forced
+out of the blowpipe and thrust upon the flame of the candle, bore to
+this flame a considerable quantity of oxygen, which increased the
+combustion and produced a temperature high enough to soften and melt the
+open extremity of the tube, and so seal it hermetically.
+
+"I have," said Monsieur Roger, "by the means which you have seen,
+expelled the air which was contained in this tube, and there remains in
+it only water. In a few moments we will make use of it. But it is good
+to have a comparison under your eyes. I therefore ask Miss Miette to
+take another tube similar to that which I hold."
+
+"Here it is," cried Miette.
+
+"Now I ask her to put water into it."
+
+"I have done so."
+
+"Lastly, I ask her to turn it over quickly, with her little hand placed
+against its lower side in order to prevent the water from falling upon
+the floor."
+
+Miss Miette did as she was commanded. The water fell in the tube,
+dividing itself into drops of more or less size. It was like rain in
+miniature.
+
+"The water, as you have just seen," said Monsieur Roger, "has fallen in
+Miss Miette's tube, dividing itself against the resistance of the air.
+In the tube which I hold, and in which there is no longer any air, you
+will see how water falls."
+
+Monsieur Roger turned the tube over, but the water this time encountered
+no resistance from the air. It fell in one mass, and struck the bottom
+of the tube with a dry and metallic sound.
+
+"It made a noise almost like the noise of a hammer," said Paul Solange.
+
+"Exactly," answered Monsieur Roger. "Scientists have given this
+apparatus the name of the water-hammer." And looking at Miette, who in
+her astonishment was examining the tube without saying anything,
+Monsieur Roger added, smiling, "And this hammer has struck Miss Miette
+with surprise."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+AMUSING PHYSICS.
+
+
+Hearing Monsieur Roger's jest, Miette raised her head, and said,--
+
+"Yes, it is very curious to see water fall like that, in a single mass;
+and, besides, it fell quicker than the water in my tube."
+
+"Of course: because it did not encounter the resistance of the air. This
+resistance is very easy to prove; and if Miss Miette will give me a
+sheet of any kind of paper----"
+
+Miss Miette looked at Monsieur Roger, seeming to be slightly
+nettled,--not by the errand, but by something else.
+
+Then she went in search of a sheet of letter-paper, which she brought
+back to Monsieur Roger. He raised his hand and dropped the paper.
+Instead of falling directly towards the earth, as a piece of lead or
+stone would do, it floated downward from the right to the left, gently
+balanced, and impeded in its fall by the evident resistance of the air.
+When this bit of paper had at last reached the ground, Monsieur Roger
+picked it up, saying,--
+
+"I am going to squeeze this bit of paper in such a way as to make it a
+paper ball; and I am going to let this paper ball fall from the same
+height as I did the leaf."
+
+The paper ball fell directly in a straight line upon the floor.
+
+"And yet it was the same sheet," said he, "which has fallen so fast. The
+matter submitted to the action of gravity remains the same; there can be
+no doubt on that point. Therefore, if the sheet of paper falls more
+quickly when it is rolled up into a ball, it is certainly because it
+meets with less resistance from the air; and if it meets with less
+resistance, it is because under this form of a ball it presents only a
+small surface, which allows it easily to displace the air in order to
+pass."
+
+"That is so," said Miss Miette, with a certainty which made every one
+smile.
+
+Miette, astonished at the effect which she had thus produced, looked at
+her friend Paul, who remained silent, but very attentive.
+
+"Well, Paul," said she, "is not that certain?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul.
+
+"Hold," returned Monsieur Roger. "I am going to show you an example
+still more convincing of the resistance of the air,--only I must have a
+pair of scissors; and if Miss Miette will have the kindness to----"
+
+Miss Miette looked again at Monsieur Roger with a singular air. None the
+less, she ran off in search of the scissors. Then Monsieur Roger pulled
+from his pocket a coin, and with the aid of the scissors cut a round bit
+of paper, a little smaller than the coin. That done, he placed the
+circular bit of paper flat upon the coin, in such a manner that it did
+not overlap, and asked Miss Miette to take the coin between her thumb
+and her finger.
+
+"Now," said he, "let it all fall."
+
+Miette opened her fingers, and the coin upon which he had placed the bit
+of paper fell. Coin and paper reached the ground at the same time.
+
+"Why," asked Monsieur Roger, "does the paper reach the ground as soon as
+the coin?"
+
+And as Miette hesitated to answer, Monsieur Roger continued:
+
+"Because the fall of the bit of paper was not interfered with by the
+resistance of the air."
+
+"Of course," cried Miette, "it is the coin which opened the way. The
+paper was preserved by the coin from the resistance of the air."
+
+"Exactly so," said Monsieur Roger; "and these simple experiments have
+led scientists to ask if in doing away entirely with the resistance of
+the air it would not be possible to abolish the differences which may be
+observed between the falling of various bodies,--for instance, the paper
+and the coin, a hair and a bit of lead. And they have decided that in a
+vacuum--that is to say, when the resistance of the air is abolished--the
+paper and the coin, the hair and the lead would fall with exactly the
+same swiftness; all of them would traverse the same space in the same
+time."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"The hair falls as fast as lead," said Miette, in a tone which seemed to
+imply, "I would like to see that."
+
+Monsieur Roger understood the thought of Miette, and answered by
+saying,--
+
+"Well, I am going to show you that."
+
+He chose a long tube of glass, closed by bits of metal, one of which had
+a stop-cock. He put in this tube the coin, the round bit of paper, a bit
+of lead, and a strand of hair from Miss Miette's head. Then he fastened
+the tube by one of its ends upon the disk of the air-pump and worked the
+pistons. As soon as he thought that the vacuum had been made, he closed
+the stop-cock of the tube, to prevent the exterior air from entering. He
+withdrew the tube from the machine, held it vertically, then turned it
+briskly upsidedown. Everybody saw that the paper, the coin, the hair,
+and the lead all arrived at the same time at the bottom of the tube. The
+experiment was conclusive. Then Monsieur Roger opened the stop-cock and
+allowed the air to enter into the tube. Again he turned the tube
+upsidedown: the coin and the bit of lead arrived almost together at the
+bottom of the tube, but the paper, and especially the strand of hair,
+found much difficulty on the way and arrived at the bottom much later.
+
+"Why, how amusing that is!" cried Miette; "as amusing as anything I
+know. I don't understand why Paul wishes to have nothing to do with
+physical science."
+
+But Miette was mistaken this time, for Paul was now very anxious to
+learn more.
+
+"Very well," said Monsieur Roger, "as all this has not wearied you, I
+am, in order to end to-day, going to make another experiment which will
+not be a bit tiresome, and which, without any scientific apparatus,
+without any air-pump, will demonstrate to you for the last time the
+existence of the pressure, of the weight of the atmosphere."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped and looked at Miette, whose good temper he was
+again going to put to the test. Then he said,--
+
+"I need a carafe and a hard egg; and if Miss Miette will only be kind
+enough to----"
+
+This time Miette seemed still more uneasy than ever, more embarrassed,
+more uncomfortable; still, she fled rapidly towards the kitchen. During
+her absence, Monsieur Roger said to Madame Dalize,--
+
+"Miette seems to think that I trouble her a little too often."
+
+"That is not what is annoying her, I am certain," replied Madame Dalize;
+"but I do not understand the true cause. Let us wait."
+
+At this moment Miette returned, with the carafe in one hand, the
+hard-boiled egg (it was not boiled very hard, however) in the other.
+Monsieur Roger took the shell off the egg and placed the egg thus
+deprived of its shell upon the empty carafe, somewhat after the manner
+of a stopper or cork.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"What I want to do," said he, "is to make this egg enter the carafe."
+
+"Very well," said Miette; "all you have to do is to push from above: you
+will force the egg down."
+
+"Oh, but nobody must touch it. It must not be a hand that forces it
+down, but by weight from above. No, the atmosphere must do this."
+
+Monsieur Roger took off the egg, and lit a bit of paper, which he threw
+into the empty carafe.
+
+"In order to burn," said he, "this paper is obliged to absorb the oxygen
+of the air in the carafe,--that is to say, it makes a partial vacuum."
+When the paper had burned for some moments, Monsieur Roger replaced the
+egg upon the carafe's neck, very much in the manner you would place a
+close-fitting ground-glass stopper in the neck of a bottle, and
+immediately they saw the egg lengthen, penetrate into the neck of the
+carafe, and at last fall to the bottom. "There," said he, "is
+atmospheric pressure clearly demonstrated. When a partial vacuum had
+been made in the carafe,--that is to say, when there was not enough air
+in it to counterbalance or resist the pressure of the exterior
+air,--this exterior air pressed with all its weight upon the egg and
+forced it down in very much the same way as Miss Miette wished me to do
+just now with my hand."
+
+In saying these last words, Monsieur Roger looked towards Miette.
+
+"By the way," he said, "I must apologize to you, Miss Miette, for having
+sent you on so many errands. I thought I saw that it annoyed you a
+little bit."
+
+Miss Miette raised her eyes with much surprise to Monsieur Roger.
+
+"But that was not it at all," said she.
+
+"Well, what was it?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+And Miette replied timidly, yet sweetly,--
+
+"Why, I only thought that you might stop calling me Miss. If you please,
+I would like to be one of your very good friends."
+
+"Oh, yes; with very great pleasure, my dear little Miette," cried
+Monsieur Roger, much moved by this touching and kindly delicacy of
+feeling, and opening his arms to the pretty and obliging little child of
+his friends.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+WHY THE MOON DOES NOT FALL.
+
+
+Next evening Monsieur Roger, as well as his friend Monsieur Dalize,
+seemed to have forgotten completely that there was such a thing as
+physical science. He sat in a corner and chatted about this thing and
+that with Monsieur and Madame Dalize. Still, the air-pump was there, and
+the children touched it, looked at it, and examined the different
+portions of it.
+
+At last there was a conversation in a low tone between Paul and Miette,
+and in the midst of the whispering were heard these words, clearly
+pronounced by the lips of Miette,--
+
+"Ask him yourself."
+
+Then Monsieur Roger heard Paul answer,--
+
+"No, I don't dare to."
+
+Miette then came forward towards her friend Roger, and said to him,
+without any hesitation,--
+
+"Paul asks that you will explain to him about the tower?"
+
+Monsieur Roger remained a moment without understanding, then a light
+struck him, and he said,--
+
+"Ah! Master Paul wants me to explain to him how I learned the height of
+the tower Heurtebize?"
+
+"That is it," said Miette.
+
+Paul Solange made an affirmative sign by a respectful movement of the
+head.
+
+"But," said Monsieur Roger, responding to this sign, "it is physical
+science, my dear Master Paul,--physical science, you know; and,
+goodness, I was so much afraid of boring you that both I and Monsieur
+Dalize had resolved never to approach this subject."
+
+"Still, sir," said Paul, "all that you have said and shown to us was on
+account of the tower of Heurtebize, and you promised me----"
+
+"That is true," said Monsieur Dalize; "and if you promised, you must
+keep your word. So explain to Paul how you have been able, without
+moving, to learn the exact height of that famous tower."
+
+"Come, then, I obey," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+And, addressing himself to Paul, he said,--
+
+"You will remember that at the beginning of this conversation on gravity
+I took a little stone and let it fall from my full height. It produced a
+very feeble shock; but I made you remark that if it were to fall from a
+greater height the shock would be violent enough to break it."
+
+"Yes," said Paul, "I remember."
+
+"Then, of course, you understand that the violence of the shock of a
+body against a fixed obstacle depends upon the rate of speed this body
+possessed at the moment when it encountered the obstacle. The higher the
+distance from which the body falls, the more violent is the shock,--for
+its swiftness is greater. Now, the speed of a falling body becomes
+greater and greater the longer it continues to fall; and, consequently,
+in falling faster and faster it will traverse a greater and greater
+space in a given interval of time. In studying the fall of a body we
+find that in one second it traverses a space of sixteen feet and one
+inch. In falling for two seconds it traverses----"
+
+"Twice the number of feet," said Miette, with a self-satisfied air.
+
+"Why, no," said Paul; "because it falls faster during the second second,
+and in consequence travels a greater distance."
+
+"Master Paul is right," replied Monsieur Roger. "It has been found that
+in falling for two seconds a body falls sixteen feet and one inch
+multiplied by twice two,--that is to say, sixty-four feet and four
+inches. In falling three seconds a body traverses sixteen feet and one
+inch multiplied by three times three,--that is to say, by nine. In
+falling four seconds it traverses sixteen feet and one inch multiplied
+by four times four,--that is to say, by sixteen; and so on. This law of
+falling bodies which learned men have discovered teaches us that in
+order to calculate the space traversed by a body in a certain number of
+seconds it is necessary to multiply sixteen feet and one inch by the
+arithmetical square of that number of seconds. And Master Paul must
+know, besides, that the square of a number is the product obtained by
+multiplying this number by itself."
+
+Paul bent his head.
+
+"And now you must also know," continued Monsieur Roger, "how I could
+calculate the height of the tower of Heurtebize. The stone which you let
+fall, according to my watch, took two seconds before it reached the
+soil. The calculation which I had to make was easy, was it not?"
+
+"Yes, sir: it was necessary to multiply sixteen feet and one inch by two
+times two,--which gives about sixty-four feet and four inches as the
+height of the tower."
+
+"You are right, and, as you may judge, it was not a very difficult
+problem."
+
+"Yes," added Monsieur Dalize; "but it was interesting to know why the
+apple fell, and you have taught us."
+
+"That is true," cried Miette; "only you have forgotten to tell us why
+the moon does not fall."
+
+"I have not forgotten," said Monsieur Roger; "but I wished to avoid
+speaking of the attraction of the universe. However, as Miette obliges
+me, I shall speak. You see that all earthly bodies are subject to a
+force which has been called gravity, or weight. Now, gravity can also be
+called attraction. By the word attraction is meant, in fact, the force
+which makes all bodies come mutually together and adhere together,
+unless they are separated by some other force. This gravity or
+attraction which the terrestrial mass exerts upon the objects placed on
+its surface is felt above the soil to a height that cannot be measured.
+Learned men have, therefore, been led to suppose that this gravity or
+attraction extended beyond the limits which we can reach; that it acted
+upon the stars themselves, only decreasing as they are farther off. This
+supposition allows it to be believed that all the stars are of similar
+phenomena, that there is a gravity or attraction on their surface, and
+that this gravity or attraction acts upon all other celestial bodies.
+With this frame of thought in his mind, Newton at last came to believe
+that all bodies attract each other by the force of gravity, that their
+movements are determined by the force which they exert mutually upon one
+another, and that the system of the universe is regulated by a single
+force,--gravity, or attraction."
+
+"But that does not explain to us why the moon does not fall," said
+Monsieur Dalize.
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at his friend.
+
+"So you also," said he, smiling,--"you also are trying to puzzle me?"
+
+"Of course I am; but I am only repeating the question whose answer
+Miette is still awaiting."
+
+"Yes," said Miette, "I am waiting. Why does not the moon fall?"
+
+"Well, the moon does not fall because it is launched into space with so
+great a force that it traverses nearly four-fifths of a mile a second."
+
+Miette ran to open the door of the vestibule. The park was bathed in the
+mild light of a splendid moon.
+
+"Is it of that moon that you are speaking,--the moon which turns around
+us?"
+
+"Certainly, as we have no other moon."
+
+"And it turns as swiftly as you say?"
+
+"Why, yes. And do you know why it turns around us, a prisoner of that
+earth from which it seeks continually to fly in a straight line? It is
+because----"
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped suddenly, with an embarrassed air.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Miette.
+
+"Why, I am afraid I have put myself in a very difficult position."
+
+"Why?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I have just undertaken to tell you why the moon does not fall. Is not
+that true?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I am obliged to tell you that it does fall."
+
+"Ah, that is another matter!" cried Miette.
+
+"Yes, it is another matter, as you say; and it is necessary that I
+should speak to you of that other matter. Without that how can I make
+you believe that the moon does not fall and that it does fall?"
+
+"That would not be easy," said Miss Miette.
+
+"Well, then, imagine a ball shot by a cannon. This ball would go forever
+in a straight line and with the same swiftness if it were not subject to
+gravity, to the attraction of the earth. This attraction forces the ball
+to lower itself little by little below the straight line to approach the
+earth. At last the time comes when the force of attraction conquers the
+force which shot the ball, and the latter falls to the earth. This
+example of the ball may be applied to the moon, which would go forever
+in a straight line if it were not subject to the attraction of the
+earth. It shoots in a straight line, ready to flee away from us; but
+suddenly the attraction of the earth makes itself felt. Then the moon
+bends downward to approach us, and the straight line which it had been
+ready to traverse is changed to the arc of a circle. Again the moon
+endeavors to depart in a straight line, but the attraction is felt
+again, and brings near to us our unfaithful satellite. The same
+phenomenon goes on forever, and the straight path which the moon
+intended to follow becomes a circular one. It falls in every instance
+towards us, but it falls with exactly the same swiftness as that with
+which it seeks to get away from us. Consequently it remains always at
+the same distance. The attraction which prevents the moon from running
+away may be likened to a string tied to the claws of a cockchafer. The
+cockchafer flies, seeking to free itself; the string pulls it back
+towards the child's finger; and very often the circular flight which the
+insect takes around the finger which holds it represents exactly the
+circular flight of the moon around the earth."
+
+"But," said Miette, "is there no danger that the moon may fall some
+time?"
+
+"If the moon had been closer to the earth it would have fallen long ago;
+but it is more than two hundred and thirty-eight thousand miles away,
+and, as I have told you, if attraction or gravity acts upon the planets,
+it loses its power in proportion to the distance at which they are. The
+same attraction which forces the moon to turn around the earth obliges
+the earth and the planets to turn around the sun; and the sun itself is
+not immovable. It flies through space like all the other stars, bearing
+us in its train, subject also to universal attraction."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped a moment, then he said,--
+
+"And it is this great law of universal attraction, this law which
+governs the universe, that Newton discovered when he asked himself, 'Why
+does the apple fall?'"
+
+"Still, as for me," said Miette, "I should not have had that idea at
+all; I should have said quietly to myself, 'The apple fell because it
+was ripe.'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A MYSTERIOUS RESEMBLANCE.
+
+
+The days passed by at the chateau of Sainte-Gemme quietly and happily.
+Monsieur Roger, having fulfilled his promise to give the explanation of
+gravity and of attraction, was careful to make no allusions to
+scientific matters. He thought it useful and right to let his little
+hearers find their own pleasures wherever they could. One afternoon he
+saw Miette and Paul leave the house together. Paul had two camp-stools,
+while Miette held her friend's album.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Monsieur Roger.
+
+"We are going to sketch," answered Paul: "at the end of the park."
+
+Miette put on the air of a martyr, and said to Monsieur Roger,--
+
+"I think he is going to sketch me."
+
+"Not at all; come along," replied Paul.
+
+And Miette ran gayly after Paul.
+
+An hour later, Monsieur Roger, in his walk, saw at the turning of a
+pathway lined by young chestnut-trees a scene which brought a smile to
+his lips. Two camp-stools were placed in front of each other, some
+distance apart; upon one of these camp-stools Paul was seated, his album
+and his pencil between his hands; on the other camp-stool was Miss
+Miette, posing for a portrait. Monsieur Roger approached.
+
+When Miette saw him, she sat up, and, crossing her little arms, cried,
+with pretended anger,--
+
+"I told you so: he is going to sketch me."
+
+"Oh, Miette," said Paul, softly, "you have spoiled the pose."
+
+Miette turned towards Paul, and, seeing that she had made him angry,
+returned to her former attitude without saying a word. Monsieur Roger
+looked at Miette, so pretty, so restless by disposition, now forcing
+herself to sit quietly, with an expression of determination upon her
+face that was half serious and half laughing. Then he cast his eyes upon
+Paul's album, but at that moment Paul was scratching over with his
+pencil the sketch which he had begun.
+
+"Never," said he, discouraged, "never shall I be able to catch her
+likeness."
+
+"That is not astonishing," replied Monsieur Roger. "I was struck at once
+with the change in her face. Miette in posing does not resemble herself
+any longer."
+
+"That is true, sir; but why is it?"
+
+"Why, because it is possible that it does not amuse her very much."
+
+Miette began to laugh. Monsieur Roger had guessed aright.
+
+"Oh, stay like that!" cried Paul, seeing Miette's face lighten up with
+gayety.
+
+"I will remain like this on one condition."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"That our friend Roger will remain also with us. I shall have some one
+to whom I can talk, and you, Paul, will make your sketch at your ease."
+
+"That is understood," said Monsieur Roger, seating himself upon a bank
+of stones beside the children. At first he lent a rather listless ear to
+Miette's words, for he was thinking of something else, and he only
+uttered a word or two in answer, which, however, allowed the little girl
+to think that she was being listened to. His eyes had travelled from the
+model to the artist. Since his arrival at Sainte-Gemme Paul's face had
+slightly changed: his hair, which had been cut short at school, had
+lengthened, and now fell over his forehead, shading the top of his face
+and giving him an expression that was slightly feminine; his large
+eyes, with long, black lashes, went from Miette to the sketch-book with
+a grave attention which the presence of a third party did not trouble at
+all. Roger's looks had rested upon Paul, full of that sympathy which the
+boy had inspired in him the first time he had seen him; but, instead of
+looking elsewhere at the end of a few minutes, his eyes were riveted
+upon Paul's face. He eagerly examined every feature of that face, which
+had suddenly been revealed to him under a new aspect. He had become very
+pale, and his hands trembled slightly. Miette perceived this sudden
+change, and, full of uneasiness, cried out,--
+
+"Why, what is the matter?"
+
+Recalled to himself by this exclamation, Monsieur Roger shook his head,
+passed his hand over his eyes, and answered, striving to smile,--
+
+"Why, there is nothing the matter with me, my dear, except a slight
+dizziness, caused by the sun no doubt. Don't be uneasy about me. I am
+going back home."
+
+And Monsieur Roger left them at a rapid pace, cutting across the pathway
+to get out of sight of the children. He walked like a crazy man; his
+eyes were wild, his brain full of a strange and impossible idea. When he
+had reached the other end of the park, sure of being alone, sure of not
+being seen, he stopped; but then he felt weak, and he allowed himself to
+fall upon the grass. For a long time he remained motionless, plunged in
+thought. At last he got up, murmuring,--
+
+"Why, that is impossible. I was a fool."
+
+He was himself again. He had thought over everything, he had weighed
+everything, and he persuaded himself that he had been the plaything of a
+singular hallucination. Still reasoning, still talking to himself, he
+took no notice of where he was going. Suddenly he perceived that he was
+returning to the spot which he had left. He stopped, and heard the voice
+of Miette in the distance; then he approached as softly as was possible,
+walking on tiptoe and avoiding the gravel and the falling leaves. One
+wish filled his heart,--to see Paul again without being seen. He walked
+through the woods towards the side whence the voice had made itself
+heard. The voice of Miette, now very close, said,--
+
+"Let's see, Paul. Is it finished?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul; "only two minutes more. And this time, thanks to
+Monsieur Roger, it will be something like you."
+
+Monsieur Roger, hidden behind branches and leaves, came nearer,
+redoubling his precautions. At last, through an opening in the foliage
+he perceived Paul Solange. He looked at him with profound attention
+until the lad, having started off with Miette, was some distance away.
+When the two children had disappeared, Monsieur Roger took the shaded
+path he had been following and went towards the chateau. He walked
+slowly, his head bent down, his mind a prey to mysterious thoughts. He
+had seen Paul again, and had studied his face, this time appealing to
+all his coolness, to all his reasoning power. And now a violent,
+unconquerable emotion bound him. In vain he tried in his sincerity to
+believe in a too happy and weak illusion, in a too ardent desire,
+realized only in his imagination. No, he was forced to admit that what
+he had just beheld had been seen with the eyes of a reasoning and
+thinking man whose brain was clear and whose mind was not disordered.
+However, this thought which had taken possession of him, this
+overwhelming idea of happiness, was it even admissible? And Monsieur
+Roger, striving to return to the reality, murmured,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is folly! it is folly!"
+
+Was it not in fact folly which had led him suddenly to recognize in the
+features of Paul Solange those of Madame Roger La Morliere? Was it not
+folly to have noticed a mysterious, surprising, and extraordinary
+resemblance between the face of Paul Solange and the sweet one of her
+who had been the mother of George? Yes, it was madness, it was
+impossible. Yet, in spite of all, Monsieur Roger said to himself, deep
+down in his heart,--
+
+"If it were my son?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE FIXED IDEA.
+
+
+For some days Monsieur Roger made no allusion to the secret which now
+filled his soul, nor to that strange idea which filled his whole brain.
+He retired into himself, thinking that this folly which had suddenly
+come to him would go away as suddenly, and again feeling, in spite of
+all, the certain loss of a dream which had made him so happy. And still,
+the more he looked at Paul, which he did only on the sly, not daring to
+look him in the face, as formerly, for fear of betraying himself, the
+more and more evident and real did the mysterious resemblance appear to
+him. The Dalize family had remarked the absence of mind and the
+wandering look of Monsieur Roger. Still, they thought that that was
+simply because something had reminded him of his sorrows. Even Paul
+could not help taking notice of the new attitude which Monsieur Roger
+had taken up with regard to him. The kindness and sympathy which
+Monsieur Roger had shown him in the first few days of his acquaintance
+had greatly touched the motherless boy, whose father was far away on the
+other side of the ocean.
+
+Now, for some days, it had seemed to Paul that Monsieur Roger sought to
+avoid his presence,--he neither spoke to him nor looked at him. Once
+only Paul had surprised a look which Monsieur Roger had given him, and
+in this sad look he had discovered an affection so profound that it felt
+to him almost like a paternal caress. Yet, Paul was forced to
+acknowledge that his father had never looked at him in that way.
+
+One evening, after dinner, Monsieur Dalize led his friend Roger into the
+garden in front of the house, and said to him,--
+
+"Roger, my dear friend, you have made us uneasy for some days. Now we
+are alone. What is the matter with you?"
+
+"Why, nothing is the matter with me," said Monsieur Roger, surprised at
+the question.
+
+"Why, certainly, something is the matter. What has happened to you?"
+
+"I don't understand what you mean?"
+
+"Roger, you oblige me to tread on delicate ground,--to ask you a painful
+question."
+
+"Speak."
+
+"Well, my dear friend, the change which we have noticed in you for some
+time is not my fault, is it? Or does it come from the surroundings in
+which you find yourself placed?"
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"I ask if your grief--without your knowing it, perhaps--may not have
+been revived by the happiness which reigns around you? Perhaps the
+presence of these children, who nevertheless love you already almost as
+much as they do me, awakes in your heart a terrible remembrance and
+cruel regrets?"
+
+"No, no," cried Monsieur Roger; "that is not true. But why do you ask me
+such questions?"
+
+"Because, my dear friend, you are mentally ill, and I wish to cure you."
+
+"Why, no, I am not. I am not ill either mentally or physically, I
+swear."
+
+"Don't swear," said Monsieur Dalize; "and do me the kindness to hide
+yourself for some moments behind this clump of trees. I have witnesses
+who will convince you that I still have good eyes."
+
+Monsieur Dalize got up, opened the door of the vestibule, and called
+Miette. She ran out gayly.
+
+"What do you wish, papa?" she said.
+
+"I want to see our friend Roger. Is he not in the parlor with you?"
+
+"No; he always goes his own way. He does not talk to us any longer; and
+he has had a very funny, sad look for some time. He is not the same at
+all."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Very well, my child," said Monsieur Dalize, interrupting the little
+girl. "Go back to the parlor and send me your brother."
+
+Albert soon arrived.
+
+"You wanted me, father?" said he.
+
+"Yes; I want you to repeat to me what you told your mother this
+morning."
+
+Albert thought for a moment; then he said,--
+
+"About Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I told mamma that for some time back I have heard Monsieur Roger
+walking all night in his room; only this evening I heard him crying."
+
+"That is all that I wish to know, my child. You can go back again."
+
+When Monsieur Dalize was alone, he walked around the clump of trees to
+rejoin Roger.
+
+"Well," said he, softly, "you have heard. Everybody has noticed your
+grief. Won't you tell me now what it is that you are suffering, or what
+secret is torturing you?"
+
+"Yes, I will confide this secret to you," said Monsieur Roger, "because
+you will understand me, and you will not laugh at your unhappy friend."
+And Monsieur Roger told the whole truth to his friend Dalize. He told
+him what a singular fixed idea had possessed his brain; he told him of
+the strange resemblance which he thought he had discovered between the
+features of his dear and regretted wife and the face of Paul Solange.
+
+Monsieur Dalize let his friend pour out his soul to him. He said only,
+with pitying affection, when Monsieur Roger had finished,--
+
+"My poor friend! it is a dream that is very near insanity."
+
+"Alas! that is what I tell myself; and still----"
+
+"And still?" repeated Monsieur Dalize. "You still doubt? Come with me."
+
+He re-entered the chateau with Roger. When he reached the parlor he went
+straight to Paul Solange.
+
+"Paul," said he, "to-morrow is the mail, and I shall write to your
+father."
+
+"Ah, sir," answered Paul, "I will give you my letter; maybe you can put
+it in yours."
+
+Monsieur Dalize seemed to be trying to think of something.
+
+"How long a time is it," said he, "since I have had the pleasure of
+seeing your excellent father?"
+
+"Two years, sir; but he will surely come to France this winter."
+
+Monsieur Dalize looked at Roger; then he whispered in his ear,--
+
+"You have heard."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+FIRE.
+
+
+Certainly Monsieur Roger had heard, certainly he tried to convince
+himself; but when his looks fell upon Paul, his reason forsook him and
+he doubted again, and even he hoped. Some days passed in a semi-sadness
+that made every one feel uneasy. The children, without knowing why, knew
+that something had happened which troubled the mutual happiness of their
+life. Monsieur and Madame Dalize alone understood and pitied their
+friend Roger. They endeavored to interest him in other things,--but
+Monsieur Roger refused walks, excursions, and the invitations of the
+neighbors. He had asked Monsieur Dalize to let him alone for a while, as
+he felt the need of solitude.
+
+One morning Albert said to his father,--
+
+"Father, Paul and I wish to go with a fishing-party to the farm, as we
+did last year. Will you allow us to do so?"
+
+"Yes," answered Monsieur Dalize; "but on one condition."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"That you take Monsieur Roger with you."
+
+Albert looked at his father, and answered,--
+
+"Then you refuse?"
+
+"Why, no,--I only make that condition."
+
+"Yes, father; but as we cannot fulfil the condition, it is equal to a
+refusal."
+
+"Why cannot you fulfil it? What is there so difficult about it?"
+
+"You know as well as I, my dear father, Monsieur Roger has been for some
+time very sad, very preoccupied; he wants to remain by himself, and
+consequently he will refuse to go to the farm."
+
+"Who knows?"
+
+"Well, at all events, I would not dare to ask him."
+
+"Well, then, let Paul do it."
+
+"But what would Paul say?"
+
+"He will say that I am detained here, that I cannot come with you, and
+that, not thinking it prudent to allow you to go fishing alone, I
+object to it unless Monsieur Roger will consent to take my place."
+
+"Very well, father," said Albert, in a disappointed tone. "We will see
+whether Paul succeeds; but I am afraid he will not."
+
+But Paul did succeed. Monsieur Roger could not resist the request so
+pleasantly made by the boy. That evening, after dinner, they left home
+to sleep at the farm, which was situated on the borders of the River
+Yonne. They had to get up at daybreak in order to begin their fishing.
+The farmers gave up to Monsieur Roger the only spare room they had in
+the house. Albert and Paul had to sleep in what they called the turret.
+This turret, the last mossy vestige of the feudal castle, whose very
+windows were old loop-holes, now furnished with panes of glass, stood
+against one end of the farm-house. It was divided into three stories:
+the first story was a place where they kept hay and straw; in the second
+there slept a young farm-boy; the higher story was reserved for another
+servant, who was just now absent.
+
+"In war we must do as the warriors do," cried Albert, gayly; "besides,
+we have not so long to sleep. You may take whichever room you like the
+best."
+
+"I will take the highest story, if you are willing," answered Paul; "the
+view must be beautiful."
+
+"Oh, the view! through the loop-holes and their blackened glasses!
+However, you can climb up on the old platform of the turret if you wish.
+It is covered with zinc, like the roof of an ordinary house; but, all
+the same, one can walk upon it. Come, I will show it to you."
+
+The wooden staircase was easily ascended by the boys. When they had
+reached the room which Paul was to occupy, Albert pointed his hand
+towards the ceiling and made Paul remark a large bolt.
+
+"See," said he: "you have only to get upon a chair to draw this bolt and
+to push the trap-door, which gives admission to the turret. On the roof
+you will, in fact, see a beautiful view."
+
+"I shall do that to-morrow morning, when I get up," answered Paul.
+
+Albert, after he had said good-night to his friend, descended the
+staircase and slept in the bed which the farm-boy had yielded to him;
+the latter was to spend the night upon a bed of hay in the first story.
+
+A distant clock in the country had struck twelve. Monsieur Roger had
+opened the window of his room, and, being unable to sleep, was thinking,
+still the prey to the fixed idea, still occupied by the strange
+resemblance; and now the two names of Paul and George mingled together
+in his mind and were applied only to the one and the same dear being.
+Suddenly the odor of smoke came to him, brought on the breeze. In the
+cloudy night he saw nothing, and still the smoke grew more and more
+distinct. Every one was asleep at the farm: no light was burning, no
+sound was heard. Monsieur Roger bent over the window-sill and looked
+uneasily around him. The loop-holes of the lower story of the turret
+were illuminated; then sparks escaped from it, soon followed by jets of
+flame. At the same instant the wooden door which opened into the yard
+was violently burst open, and Monsieur Roger saw two young people in
+their night-gowns fleeing together and crying with a loud voice. This
+was all so quick that Monsieur Roger had had neither the time nor the
+thought of calling for help. A spasm of fear had seized him, which was
+calmed, now that Paul and Albert were safe; but the alarm had been
+given, and the farm-hands had awakened. But what help could they expect?
+The nearest village was six miles off; the turret would be burned before
+the engines could arrive. Monsieur Roger had run out with the others to
+witness this fire which they could not extinguish. He held Albert in his
+arms, embraced him, and said to him,--
+
+"But, tell me, where is Paul?"
+
+Albert looked around him.
+
+"He must be here,--unless fright has made him run away."
+
+"No, he is not here. But you are sure that he ran out of the tower, are
+you not?"
+
+"Certainly, since it was he who came and shook me in my bed while I was
+asleep."
+
+At this moment a young boy in a night-gown came out of the crowd, and,
+approaching Albert, said,--
+
+"No; it was I, sir, who shook you."
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at the boy who had just spoken, and he felt a
+horrible fear take possession of him. He saw that it was the farm-boy.
+It must have been he whom he had seen fleeing a moment before with
+Albert. But Paul? Had he remained in the turret? And the flames which
+licked the walls had almost reached the floor where Paul was sleeping.
+Was the poor boy still asleep? Had he heard nothing?
+
+"A ladder!" cried Monsieur Roger, with a cry of fear and despair.
+
+The ladder was immediately brought; but it was impossible to place it
+against the turret, whose base was in flames.
+
+Monsieur Roger in a second had examined the battlements which composed
+the roof. He ran towards the farm-house, climbed up the staircase to the
+top story, opened a trap-door, and found himself upon the roof. Crawling
+on his hands and knees, following the ridge of the roof, he reached the
+turret, and found himself even with the story where Paul Solange was
+asleep. The loop-hole was before him. With a blow of his elbow he broke
+the glass; then he cried,--
+
+"Paul! Paul!"
+
+Below the people looked at him in mournful silence. No reply came from
+the room; he could see nothing through the darkness. Monsieur Roger had
+a gleam of hope: Paul must have escaped. But a sheet of fire higher than
+the others threw a sudden light through the loop-hole on the other side.
+
+Monsieur Roger was seized with indescribable anguish. Paul Solange was
+there in his bed. Was he asleep? Monsieur Roger cried out anew with all
+his force. Paul remained motionless. Then Monsieur Roger leaned over the
+roof, and said to the people below,--
+
+"Cry at the top of your voices! Make a noise!"
+
+But the next moment he made a sign to them to be silent,--for Monsieur
+Roger had felt somebody crawling behind him, somebody who had followed
+his perilous path. It was Albert Dalize.
+
+"Oh, my friend,--my poor friend!" cried Monsieur Roger; "what can we do?
+Is it not enough to make you crazy? See! the staircase is in flames. You
+can hardly pass your arm through the loop-holes. Whether he wakes or
+not, he is lost." And then he said, with an awful gravity, "Then, it is
+better he should not awake."
+
+"No," replied Albert, quickly; "there is an opening at the top of the
+tower."
+
+"There is an opening?"
+
+"Yes, a trap-door, which I showed him only a little while ago, before we
+went to sleep."
+
+Monsieur Roger raised himself upon the roof to a standing position.
+
+"What are you doing?" cried Albert.
+
+"I am going to try to reach the top of the tower."
+
+"It is useless; the bolt opens in the room. Paul only can open it."
+
+"Paul can open it."
+
+"If he awakes. But how is it he does not awake?"
+
+And in his turn Albert called to his friend.
+
+Paul made no movement. The flames were gaining, growing more and more
+light, and the smoke was filtering through the plank floor and filling
+the room.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Ah, I understand," cried Monsieur Roger, "I understand: he is not
+sleeping. That is not sleep,--that is asphyxia."
+
+"Asphyxia?" repeated Albert, in a voice choked with fear.
+
+The scene was terrible. There was the boy, a prisoner, who was going to
+die under the eyes of those who loved him, and separated from them
+solely by a circle of stone and of fire,--a circle which they could not
+cross. He was going to die without any knowledge that he was dying.
+Asphyxia held him in a death-like trance. Albert saw the floor of the
+room crack and a tongue of flame shoot up, which lighted up the sleeping
+face of Paul Solange. Then he heard a strange cry from a terrified and
+awful voice. The voice cried,--
+
+"George! George!"
+
+And it was Monsieur Roger who had twice called that name.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+SAVED.
+
+
+Albert still looked. Then he saw Paul Solange raise himself upon his
+bed, and, seeing the fire, pass his hands over his eyes and his
+forehead, jump to the floor, reflect a moment, as if endeavoring to
+remember something, then seize a chair, get upon it, and pull the bolt
+of the trap-door. At the same time he remarked that Monsieur Roger was
+no longer near him. Braving the danger, Monsieur Roger had jumped from
+the roof, and succeeded in reaching the top of the turret; and now it
+was he who pulled Paul from the trap-door and gathered him up in his
+arms. The boy had fainted. Obeying an order shouted by Albert, two
+farm-boys trusted themselves upon the roof, bringing with them a ladder
+and ropes. Then Monsieur Roger was able to come down with his precious
+burden.
+
+Albert lent his aid to the rescuer, and Paul was taken down into the
+yard. At this moment a carriage arrived, which had been driving at the
+top of its speed. It stopped at the door of the farm-house. Monsieur
+Dalize appeared. From the chateau the flames had been seen by a
+watchman, who had gone to awake his master. Monsieur Dalize,
+understanding the danger, frightened at what might be happening over
+there in that farm-house on fire, under that roof which sheltered his
+child, his best friend, and Paul Solange, had immediately harnessed a
+horse, with the aid of the watchman, and, telling him to say nothing to
+Madame Dalize, had departed at the top of his speed. He arrived in time
+to see Monsieur Roger and Albert, who were bearing Paul with them. He
+approached, trembling.
+
+"Paul!" he cried.
+
+"Calm yourself," Monsieur Roger hastened to say: "he has only fainted.
+It is nothing; but we shall have to take him home."
+
+"The carriage is ready."
+
+"Then everything is for the best."
+
+Paul was seated in the carriage, between Albert and Monsieur Roger. The
+latter had placed his left arm under Paul's head to sustain him. The
+poor child was still insensible; but there could be no better remedy
+for him than the fresh air of the night,--the fresh air which the rapid
+movement of the carriage caused to penetrate into his lungs. Monsieur
+Dalize, who drove, turned around frequently, looking at Roger. The
+latter held in his right hand Paul Solange's hand, and from time to time
+placed his ear against the boy's breast.
+
+"Well?" said Monsieur Dalize, anxiously.
+
+"His pulse is still insensible," answered Monsieur Roger; "but stop your
+horse for a moment."
+
+The carriage stopped. Then, being no longer interfered with by the
+noise, Monsieur Roger again applied his ear, and said,--
+
+"His heart beats; it beats very feebly, but it beats. Now go ahead."
+
+Again the carriage started. At the end of some minutes, Monsieur Roger,
+who still held Paul's wrist between his fingers, suddenly felt beneath
+the pulsations of the radial artery. He cried out, with a loud voice,
+but it was a cry of joy,--
+
+"He is saved!" he said to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+At that very moment Paul Solange opened his eyes; but he closed them
+again, as if a heavy sleep, stronger than his will, were weighing upon
+his eyelids. Again he opened them, and looked with an undecided look,
+without understanding. At that moment they arrived at the house.
+Everybody was on foot. The fire at the farm had been perceived by others
+besides the watchman. They had all risen from their beds, and Madame
+Dalize, awakened by the noise, had, unfortunately, learned the terrible
+news. She was awaiting in cruel agony the return of her husband. At last
+she saw him driving the carriage and bringing with him the beings who
+were dear to her. Paul, leaning on the arms of Monsieur Roger and
+Albert, was able to cross the slight distance which separated them from
+the vestibule. There Monsieur Roger made him sit down in an arm-chair,
+near the window, which he opened wide. Monsieur and Madame Dalize and
+Albert stood beside Paul, looking at him silently and uneasily; but they
+were reassured by the expression of Monsieur Roger. With common accord
+they left him the care of his dear patient. Monsieur Roger was looking
+at Paul with tender eyes,--an expression of happiness, of joy, illumined
+his face: and this expression, which Monsieur Dalize had not seen for
+long years upon the face of his friend, seemed to him incomprehensible,
+for he was still ignorant of the extraordinary thing that had happened.
+At this moment, Miss Miette, in her night-cap, hardly taking time to
+dress herself, rushed into the vestibule. Her childish sleep had been
+interrupted by the tumult in the house. She had run down half awake.
+
+"Mamma, Mamma," she cried, "what is the matter?"
+
+Then, as she ran to throw herself upon her mother's knees, she saw the
+arm-chair and Paul sitting in it. She stopped at once, and, before they
+had the time or the thought of stopping her, she had taken Paul's hands,
+saying to him, very sadly,--
+
+"Paul, Paul, are you sick?"
+
+Paul's eyes, which until this time had remained clouded and as if fixed
+upon something which he could not see, turned to Miette. Little by
+little they brightened as his senses returned to him: his eyes commenced
+to sparkle. He looked, and, with a soft but weary voice, he murmured,--
+
+"Miette, my little Miette."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Then he turned his head, trying to find out where it was he found
+himself, who were the people around him.
+
+"What has happened?" he asked.
+
+Nobody dared to answer. Everybody waited for Monsieur Roger; but
+Monsieur Roger kept silent. He let nature take care of itself. Indeed,
+he even hid himself slightly behind Monsieur Dalize. Paul's looks passed
+over the faces which were in front or beside him; but they did not stop
+there: they seemed to look for something or some one which they did not
+meet. Then, with a sudden movement, Paul bent over a little. He saw
+Monsieur Roger; he started; the blood came back to his face; he tried to
+speak, and could only let fall a few confused words. But, though they
+could not understand his words, what they did understand was his
+gesture. He held out his arms towards Monsieur Roger. The latter
+advanced and clasped Paul Solange in a fatherly embrace.
+
+The effort made by the sick boy had wearied him. He closed his eyes in
+sleep; but this time it was a healthy sleep, a refreshing sleep.
+
+Monsieur Roger and Monsieur Dalize took the sleeping Paul up to his
+room. And Miss Miette, as she regained her boudoir, said to herself,
+with astonishment,--
+
+"It is extraordinary! Monsieur Roger embraced Paul as if he were his
+papa."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+GEORGE! GEORGE!
+
+
+Monsieur Roger stayed up all the remainder of that night by the side of
+Paul, whose sleep was calm and dreamless, like the sleep which succeeds
+to some strong emotion, some great fatigue. Paul was still sleeping in
+the morning when Monsieur Dalize softly turned the handle of the door
+and entered the room on tiptoe. His entrance was made with so much
+precaution that Monsieur Roger himself did not hear him.
+
+Monsieur Dalize had some seconds in which to observe Roger. He saw him
+sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed upon the child, in a thoughtful
+attitude. Monsieur Roger was studying the delicate face which lay upon
+the pillow. He examined its features one by one, and, thinking himself
+alone, thinking that he would not be interrupted in this examination, he
+was calling up the mysterious resemblance with which he had already
+acquainted his friend. But he had not just now begun this study,--he had
+pursued it all night. The light, however, of the lowered lamp had not
+been favorable, and the emotion which he felt agitated him still too
+much to leave his judgment clear. When the morning sun had risen,
+chasing away all the vague images of the darkness and the doubts of the
+mind. Roger, having recovered his composure, looked at the child whom he
+had saved, and asked himself if the child was not his own. He was drawn
+from these reflections by feeling himself touched upon the shoulder.
+Monsieur Dalize had approached and asked,--
+
+"Has he passed a good night?"
+
+"Excellent," answered Monsieur Roger, in a low tone; "but we must let
+him sleep as long as he can. Give orders that no noise shall be made
+around here and that no one shall enter. He must awake of his own
+accord. When he awakes he will only feel a slight fatigue."
+
+"Then I am going to give these orders and tell the good news," said
+Monsieur Dalize.
+
+He retired as softly as he had entered, but by accident, near the door,
+he stumbled against a chair. He stopped, holding his breath; but Roger
+made a sign that he could go on. The slight noise had not awakened Paul,
+or at least had not awakened him completely; he had turned around upon
+his bed for the first time since he had been placed there. Monsieur
+Roger, who never took his eyes off him, understood that he was dreaming.
+The dream seemed to be a painful one, for some feeble groans and murmurs
+escaped him. Then upon the face of the sleeping child appeared an
+expression of great fear. Monsieur Roger did not wish to leave Paul a
+prey to such a dream. He approached near to raise him a little upon the
+bed. The moment that Monsieur Roger's two hands softly touched Paul's
+head, the expression of fear disappeared, the features became quiet and
+calm, the groans ceased, and suddenly there escaped his lips the single
+word "Papa."
+
+Monsieur Roger started. With his trembling hands he still sustained the
+child; he bent over, ready to embrace him, forgetting that the child was
+sleeping and dreaming. Monsieur Roger was about to utter the name which
+choked him,--"My son."
+
+Then Paul Solange opened his eyes. He looked up dreamily; then he
+recognized the face before him, and surprise mingled with affection in
+his tones.
+
+"Monsieur Roger!" he said.
+
+He looked around him, saw that he was in his own room, and remembered
+nothing else. He asked,--
+
+"Why are you here, Monsieur Roger?"
+
+Mastering himself, Monsieur Roger answered that he had come to find out
+how Paul was, as he had seen him suffering the night before.
+
+"I, suffering?" asked Paul. Then he sought to remember, and, all of a
+sudden, he cried, "The fire over there at the farm!"
+
+Although his memory had not entirely returned, he recollected something.
+He hesitated to speak. Then, with an anxious voice, he asked,--
+
+"And Albert?"
+
+"Albert," answered Monsieur Roger, "he is below; and everybody is
+waiting until you come down to breakfast."
+
+"Then there were no accidents?"
+
+"No."
+
+"How fortunate! I will dress myself and be down in a minute."
+
+And, in fact, in a few minutes Paul was ready, and descended leaning on
+Monsieur Roger's arm.
+
+The latter, as they entered the dining-room, made a sign to them that
+they should all keep silence: he did not wish that they should fatigue
+the tired mind of the child with premature questions; but when they were
+sitting at the table, Paul, addressing Albert, said,--
+
+"Tell me what passed last night. It is strange I scarcely remember."
+
+"No," said Madame Dalize: "we are at table for breakfast, and we have
+all need for food,--you, Paul, above all. Come, now, let us eat; a
+little later we may talk."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is well said," said Monsieur Dalize.
+
+There was nothing to do but to obey. And, indeed, Paul was glad to do
+so, for he was very hungry. He had lost so much strength that the
+stomach for the moment was more interesting to him than the brain. They
+breakfasted, and then they went out upon the lawn before the chateau,
+under a large walnut-tree, which every day gave its hospitable shade to
+the Dalize family and their guests.
+
+"Well, my dear Paul," said Monsieur Dalize, "how are you at present?"
+
+"Very well, indeed, sir, very well," answered Paul. "I was a little
+feeble when I first awoke, but now,--now----"
+
+He stopped speaking; he seemed lost in thought.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Albert.
+
+"I am thinking of last night at the farm,--the fire."
+
+"Oh, that was nothing," said Albert.
+
+"But," continued Paul, "how did we get back here?"
+
+"In the carriage. Father came for us and brought us home."
+
+"And how did we leave the farm?"
+
+Monsieur Roger followed with rapt attention the workings of Paul's
+memory. He was waiting in burning anxiety the moment when Paul should
+remember. One principal fact, only one thing occupied his attention.
+Would Paul remember how and by whom he had been borne from the torpor
+which was strangling him? Would he remember that cry,--that name which
+had had the miraculous power to awake him, to bring him back to life? If
+Paul remembered that, then, perhaps---- And again Monsieur Roger was a
+prey to his fixed idea,--to his stroke of folly, as Monsieur Dalize
+called it.
+
+The latter, besides, knew nothing as yet, and Monsieur Roger counted
+upon the sudden revelation of this extraordinary fact to shake his
+conviction. But Paul had repeated his question. He asked,--
+
+"How did we leave the farm-house? How were we saved?"
+
+And as Albert did not know whether he should speak, whether he should
+tell everything, Paul continued:
+
+"But speak, explain to me: I am trying to find out. I cannot remember;
+and that gives me pain here." And he touched his head.
+
+Monsieur Roger made a sign to Albert, and the latter spoke:
+
+"Well, do you remember the turret, where we had our rooms? You slept
+above, I below. Do you remember the trap-door that I showed you? In the
+middle of the night I felt myself awakened by somebody, and I followed
+him. In my half sleep I thought that this some one was you, my poor
+friend; but, alas! you remained above; you were sleeping without fear.
+Why, it was Monsieur Roger who first saw the danger that you were in."
+
+Paul, while Albert was speaking, had bent his head, seeking in his
+memory and beginning to put in order his scattered thoughts. When
+Albert pronounced the name of Monsieur Roger, Paul raised his eyes
+towards him with a look which showed that he would soon remember.
+
+"And afterwards?" said he.
+
+"And afterwards Monsieur Roger climbed upon the roof, at the risk of his
+life, and reached the loop-hole which opened into your chamber. He broke
+the glass of the window; but you did not hear him: the smoke which was
+issuing through the floor had made you insensible,--had almost
+asphyxiated you."
+
+"Ah, I remember!" cried Paul. "I was sleeping, and, at the same time, I
+was not sleeping. I knew that I was exposed to some great danger, but I
+had not the strength to make a movement. I seemed paralyzed. I heard
+cries and confused murmurs, sounds of people coming and going. I felt
+that I ought to rise and flee, but that was impossible. My arms, my legs
+would not obey me; my eyelids, which I attempted to open, were of lead.
+I soon thought that everything was finished, that I was lost; and still
+I was saying to myself that I might be raised out of this stupor. It
+seemed to me that the efforts of some one outside might be so, that an
+order, a prayer might give back to my will the power which it had lost;
+but the stupor took hold of me more and more intensely. I was going to
+abandon myself to it, when, all of a sudden, I heard myself called. Yes,
+somebody called me; but not in the same way that I have been called
+before. In that cry there was such a command, such a prayer, so much
+faith, that my will at once recovered strength to make my body obey it.
+I roused myself; I saw and I understood, and, luckily, I remembered the
+trap-door which you had shown me. I could scarcely lift it; but there
+was some one there,--yes, some one who saved me."
+
+Paul Solange uttered a great cry.
+
+"Ah," said he, "it was Monsieur Roger!" And he ran to throw himself into
+the arms which Monsieur Roger extended to him.
+
+Miss Miette profited by the occasion to wipe her eyes, which this scene
+had filled with big tears in spite of herself. Then she turned to Paul,
+and said,--
+
+"But the one who called to you? Was it true? It was not a dream?"
+
+"Oh, no; it was some one. But who was it?"
+
+"It was Monsieur Roger," answered Albert.
+
+"And so you understood him?" continued Miette, very much interested.
+"And he called you loudly by your name, 'Paul! Paul!'"
+
+Paul Solange did not answer. This question had suddenly set him to
+thinking. No, he had not heard himself called thus. But how had he been
+called?
+
+Seeing that Paul was silent, Albert answered his little sister's
+question:
+
+"Certainly," said he, "he called Paul by his name."
+
+Then he interrupted himself, and, remembering all of a sudden:
+
+"No," cried he; "Monsieur Roger called out another name."
+
+"What other name?" asked Monsieur Dalize, much surprised.
+
+"He cried out, 'George! George!'"
+
+Monsieur Dalize turned his head towards Roger and saw the eyes of his
+friend fixed upon his own. He understood at once. Poor Roger was still a
+slave to the same thought, the same illusion.
+
+Madame Dalize and Miette, who were acquainted with the sorrows of
+Monsieur Roger, imagined that in this moment of trouble he had in spite
+of himself called up the image of his child. Paul, very gravely, was
+dreamily saying to himself that the name of George was the name which he
+had heard, and that it was to the sound of this name that he had
+answered, and he was asking himself the mysterious reason for such a
+fact.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A PROOF?
+
+
+Monsieur Dalize took his friend Roger by the arm, and they walked
+together down one of the solitary pathways of the park. When they were
+some distance off from Madame Dalize and the children, Monsieur Dalize
+stopped, looked his friend squarely in the eyes, and said, in a
+faltering tone,--
+
+"Then you still think it? You have retained that foolish idea? You think
+that Paul----?"
+
+"Yes," interrupted Monsieur Roger, in a firm voice, and without
+avoiding the eyes of his friend, "I think it, and more than that."
+Then, lowering his head, in a softened tone, but without hesitation, he
+said, "I think that Paul is my son."
+
+Monsieur Dalize looked at his friend with a feeling of real pity.
+
+"Your son?" he said. "You think that Paul is your son? And on what do
+you found this improbable, this impossible belief? Upon a likeness which
+your sorrowful spirit persists in tracing. Truly, my dear Roger, you
+grieve me. I thought you had a firmer as well as a clearer head. To whom
+could you confide such absurd ideas?"
+
+"To you, in the first place, as I have already done," said Monsieur
+Roger, gravely. "The resemblance which you doubt, and which, in fact,
+seems impossible to prove, is not a resemblance which I see between Paul
+and George, but between Paul and her who was his mother; of that I am
+sure."
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Yes; and in speaking thus I am in possession of all my senses, as you
+see. Now, would you like to know what further clue I have? Perhaps I
+have one. I will tell it to you."
+
+Here Monsieur Roger interrupted himself.
+
+"No," said he: "you will laugh at me."
+
+"Speak," said Monsieur Dalize. "I am sorry for you, and I shall not
+laugh at your delusion. Speak. I will listen."
+
+"Well," said Monsieur Roger, "this very morning, when you left the
+room, the noise that you made troubled the sleep of Paul; a dream passed
+through his brain, and I followed all its phases. I saw that Paul was
+going over the terrible scene of the night before; I knew that by the
+terror of his face and by the murmur of his lips. He evidently thought
+himself exposed to danger; then it seemed as if he heard something, as
+if he knew that help was at hand. He made a movement, as if to extend
+his hands, and from his mouth came this word, 'Papa.'"
+
+Monsieur Roger looked at his friend, who remained silent.
+
+"You have not understood?" he said.
+
+Monsieur Dalize shook his head.
+
+"Ah, but I understood," continued Monsieur Roger; "I am certain that I
+understood. In his dream Paul--no, no, not Paul, but George, my little
+George--had heard himself called as ten years ago he had been called at
+the time of the shipwreck, during the fire on shipboard, and he was
+answering to that call; and it was to no stranger that he was answering;
+it was not to Monsieur Roger; no, it was to his father: it was to me."
+
+Monsieur Roger stopped, seeking some other proof which he might furnish
+to Monsieur Dalize.
+
+The latter was plunged in thought; his friend's faith commenced to shake
+his doubt. He certainly did not share Roger's idea, but he was saying to
+himself that perhaps this idea was not so impossible as it would seem at
+first sight.
+
+Roger continued, hesitating from the moment he had to pronounce the name
+of Paul Solange:
+
+"You remember exactly the story that Paul told. Were you not struck with
+it? Did not Paul acknowledge that in his torpor, in his semi-asphyxia,
+he had called for help, called to his assistance some unknown force
+which would shake and awake his dazed and half-paralyzed will? And did
+not this help come, this sudden force, when he felt himself called? Now,
+how many times I had cried out 'Paul' without waking the child! Paul was
+not his name; he did not hear it. I had to shout to him, making use of
+his own name, his real name. I cried out, 'George!' and George heard and
+understood me. George was saved."
+
+Monsieur Dalize listened attentively: he was following up a train of
+reasoning. At the end of some moments he answered Monsieur Roger, who
+was awaiting with impatience the result of his thoughts.
+
+"Alas, my poor friend! in spite of all my reason tells me, I should like
+to leave to you your hope, but it is impossible. I have seen Paul's
+father; I know him; I have spoken to him, I have touched him; that
+father is not a shadow,--he exists in flesh and blood. You have heard
+Paul himself speak of him. In a few months he will come to Paris; you
+will see him; and then you will be convinced."
+
+"But have you seen the birth-register of Paul Solange?" asked Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+"Have I seen it? I may have done so, but I don't remember just now."
+
+"But that register must have been made; it must be in France, in the
+hands of some one."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Where can it be?"
+
+"At the Lyceum, in the dockets of the registrar."
+
+"Well, my friend, my dear friend, I must see it. You understand?"
+
+"Yes, I understand. You wish to have under your own eyes the proof of
+your mistake. You shall have it. As the guardian of Paul Solange, I will
+write the registrar to send me a copy of that birth-register. Are you
+satisfied?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And now, I ask you to be calm, to keep cool."
+
+"Oh, don't be uneasy about me," answered Monsieur Roger.
+
+Then the two friends rejoined the group which they had left.
+
+Miette rose when she saw Monsieur Roger.
+
+"Ah!" she cried, "Monsieur Roger is going to tell us that."
+
+"That? What?" asked Monsieur Dalize.
+
+"Why, what asphyxia is," answered Miette.
+
+"Ah, my friend," said Monsieur Dalize, turning to Roger, "I will leave
+the word to you."
+
+"Very well," answered Monsieur Roger. "Asphyxia is,--it is----"
+
+And as Monsieur Roger was seeking for some easy words in which to
+explain himself, Miette cried out, with a laugh,--
+
+"Perhaps you don't know yourself,--you who know everything?"
+
+"Yes, I know it," answered Monsieur Roger, with a smile; "but, in order
+to tell you, I must first explain to you what is the formation of the
+blood, and tell you something of oxygen and carbonic acid, and----"
+
+"Well, tell us," cried Miette, "if you think it will interest us.--It
+will, won't it, Paul?"
+
+Paul bent his head.
+
+Monsieur Roger saw this gesture, and replied,--
+
+"Well, then, I am going to tell you."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE AIR AND THE LUNGS.
+
+
+"In order to live," continued Monsieur Roger, "you must breathe. You
+don't doubt that?"
+
+"No," said Miss Miette, seriously.
+
+"Now, respiration consists in the absorption by the blood of some of the
+oxygen of the air and in breathing out carbonic acid. The oxygen, in
+combining with the carbon and hydrogen of the blood, excites a real
+combustion in the lungs, which results in the production of heat and in
+the exhalation of vapor and carbonic acid."
+
+Monsieur Roger was going to continue in the same scientific tone, when
+Monsieur Dalize remarked to him that his explanation did not seem to be
+at all understood by the children.
+
+The latter, a little embarrassed, held their tongues.
+
+"You are right," replied Monsieur Roger, addressing Monsieur Dalize;
+"that is a silence which is certainly not very flattering. I intend to
+profit by this lesson by beginning once more at the beginning."
+
+"You are right," said Miette.
+
+"Well, then, respiration is the very important function whose object is
+to introduce air into our lungs.
+
+"What are the lungs, and why is it necessary to introduce air into them?
+And, in the first place, how is this air introduced? Through the mouth
+and through the nose. Then it passes through the larynx and arrives at a
+large tube, which is called the trachea, or wind-pipe. It is this tube
+which, as I shall show you, forms the two lungs. As it enters the chest,
+this tube branches out into two smaller tubes, which are called the
+primary bronches. One of these bronches goes to the right, to make the
+right lung; the other to the left, to make the left lung. Each primary
+bronche is soon divided into a number of little tubes, called secondary
+bronches. The secondary bronches divide up into a number of other tubes,
+which are still smaller; and so on, and so on. Imagine a tree with two
+branches, one spreading towards the right, and the other towards the
+left. Upon these two branches grow other branches; upon these other
+branches still others, and so on. The branches become smaller and
+smaller until they become mere twigs. Now, imagine these twigs ending in
+leaves, and you will have some idea of that which is sometimes called
+the pulmonary tree, with its thousand branches."
+
+"No," said Miette: "bronches."
+
+"Bronches,--you are right," said Monsieur Roger, who could not help
+smiling at Miss Miette. "The tree which I have taken as a comparison
+finishes by dividing itself into twigs, which, as I have said, end in
+leaves. But you know, of course, that the twigs of the pulmonary tree in
+our breast do not end in leaves. They end in a sort of very small cells,
+surrounded by very thin walls. These cells are so small that they need a
+microscope to detect them, and their walls are very, very thin; the
+cells are all stuck fast together, and together they constitute a spongy
+mass, which is the lung. Now let us pass to the second question: Why is
+it necessary to introduce air into the lungs?"
+
+"Yes," said Miette; "let us pass to that."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"The blood, in going out of the heart, circulates to all the parts of
+the body in order to make necessary repairs; at the same time it charges
+itself with all the old matter which has been used up and is no longer
+any good and carries it along. Now, what is it going to do with this old
+matter? It will burn it. Where will it burn it? In the lungs. Now, there
+can be no combustion when there is no air. The blood, wishing to burn
+its waste matter, and wishing also to purify the alimentary principles
+which the veins have drawn from the stomach, has need of air. Where will
+it find it? In the lungs. And that is why it is necessary to introduce
+air into our lungs, or, in other words, that is why we breathe. The
+lungs are a simple intermediary between the air and the blood. Among the
+cells of the lungs veins finer than hair wind and turn. These veins
+gather up the blood filled with waste matter. It is blood of a black
+color, which is called venous blood. The walls of the veins which
+transport the blood are so thin that air, under the atmospheric
+pressure,--this pressure which I have told you all about,--passes
+through them and into the blood. Then the venous blood charges itself
+with the oxygen contained in the air, and frees itself from what I have
+called its waste material, and which is nothing less than carbon.
+Immediately its aspect changes. This venous blood becomes what is called
+arterial blood; this black blood becomes rich vermilion,--it is
+regenerated. It goes out again to carry life to all our organs. Now,
+this time," asked Monsieur Roger, pausing, "have I made myself
+understood?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes," said Miette, speaking both for Paul and for herself; "yes, we
+have understood,--except when you speak of oxygen, of carbon, and of
+combustion."
+
+"Oh, I was wrong to speak of them," answered Monsieur Roger, pretending
+to be vexed.
+
+"That may be," answered Miss Miette, very calmly; "but as you did speak
+of them, you must tell us what they are."
+
+"Yes, you must, my friend," remarked Monsieur Dalize, taking sides with
+his little girl.
+
+"Mustn't he, papa? mustn't Monsieur Roger explain?" asked Miette.
+
+"Come, now," said Monsieur Roger, in a resigned tone. "You must know,
+then, that air is composed of two gases,--oxygen and nitrogen;
+therefore, when we breathe, we send into our lungs oxygen and nitrogen.
+You might think, when we throw out this air, when we exhale,--you might
+think, I say, that this air coming out of our lungs is still composed of
+oxygen and of nitrogen in the same proportions. Now, it is not so at
+all. The quantity of nitrogen has not varied, but, in the first place,
+there is less oxygen, and there is another gas,--carbonic acid gas;
+where, then, is the oxygen which we have not exhaled, and whence comes
+this carbonic acid which we did not inhale? Then, besides, in the air
+exhaled there is vapor. Where does that come from? These phenomena
+result from the combustion of which I speak; but, in order that you
+should understand how this combustion occurs, I must explain to you what
+is oxygen and what is nitrogen. And as it is a long story, you must let
+me put it off till this evening; then I will talk until you are weary,
+my dear little Miette."
+
+Miette looked at Albert and Paul, and answered for them with remarkable
+frankness:
+
+"It will be only right if you do weary us. It is we who asked you, and,
+besides, we have so often wearied you that it is only right you should
+have your revenge on us. Still----"
+
+"Still, what?"
+
+"Still, we can trust you," added Miette, laughing, and throwing her arms
+around Roger's neck.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+OXYGEN.
+
+
+"We were saying that oxygen----" cried Miss Miette, with a smile, that
+evening, after dinner, seeing that Monsieur Roger had completely
+forgotten his promise.
+
+"Yes," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, as he wished to distract his
+friend from sad thoughts; "yes, my dear Roger, we were saying that
+oxygen----"
+
+"Is a gas," continued Monsieur Roger, good-humoredly. "Yes, it is a
+gas; and Miette, I suppose, will want to ask me, 'What is gas?'"
+
+"Certainly," said Miette.
+
+"Well, it is only recently that we have found out, although the old
+scientists, who called themselves alchemists, had remarked that besides
+those things that come within reach of our senses there also exists
+something invisible, impalpable; and, as their scientific methods did
+not enable them to detect this thing, they had considered it a portion
+of the spirit land; and indeed some of the names which they adopted
+under this idea still remain in common use. Don't we often call alcohol
+'spirits of wine'? As these ancients did not see the air which
+surrounded them, it was difficult for them to know that men live in an
+ocean of gas, in the same way as fish live in water; and they could not
+imagine that air is a matter just as much as water is. You remember that
+universal gravitation was discovered through----"
+
+"The fall of an apple," said Miette.
+
+"Yes; and that was something that every one knew; it was a very common
+fact that an apple would fall. Well, it was another common fact, another
+well-known thing, which enabled the Fleming Van Helmont to discover in
+the seventeenth century the real existence of gases, or at least of a
+gas. Van Helmont, one winter evening, was struck by the difference
+between the bulk of the wood which burned on his hearth and the bulk of
+the ashes left by the wood after its combustion. He wished to examine
+into this phenomenon, and he made some experiments. He readily found
+that sixty-two pounds of charcoal left, after combustion, only one pound
+of ashes. Now, what had become of the other sixty-one pounds? Reason
+showed him that they had been transformed into something invisible, or,
+according to the language of the times, into some aerial spirit. This
+something Van Helmont called 'gaast,' which in Flemish means spirit, and
+which is the same word as our ghost. From the word gaast we have made
+our word gas. The gas which Van Helmont discovered was, as we now know,
+carbonic acid. This scientist made another experiment which caused him
+to think a good deal, but which he could not explain. Now, we can repeat
+this experiment, if it will give you any pleasure."
+
+"Certainly," said Miette; "what shall I bring you?"
+
+"Only two things,--a soup-plate and a candle."
+
+Monsieur Roger lit the candle and placed it in the middle of the
+soup-plate, which he had filled with water. Then he sought among the
+instruments which had come with the air-pump, and found a little glass
+globe. He placed the globe over the candle in the middle of the plate.
+Very soon, as if by a species of suction, the water of the plate rose in
+the globe; then the candle went out.
+
+"Can Miss Miette explain to me what she has just seen?" said Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Miette reflected, and said,--
+
+"As the water rose in the globe, it must have been because the air had
+left the globe, since the water came to take its place."
+
+"Yes," answered Monsieur Roger; "but the air could not leave the globe,
+as there is no opening in the globe on top, and below it there is water.
+It did not leave the globe, but it diminished. Now, tell me why it
+diminished."
+
+"Ah, I cannot tell you."
+
+"Well, Van Helmont was in just your position. He could not know anything
+about the cause of this diminution, because he was ignorant of the
+composition of the air, which was not discovered until the next century
+by the celebrated French chemist Lavoisier. Now, this is how Lavoisier
+arrived at this important discovery. In the first place, he knew that
+metals, when they are calcined,--that is to say, when they are exposed
+to the action of fire,--increase in weight. This fact had been remarked
+before his time by Dr. Jehan Rey, under the following circumstances: A
+druggist named Brun came one day to consult the doctor. Rey asked to be
+allowed to feel his pulse.
+
+"'But I am not sick,' cried the druggist.
+
+"'Then what are you doing here?' said the doctor.
+
+"'I come to consult you.'
+
+"'Then you must be sick.'
+
+"'Not at all. I come to consult you not for sickness, but in regard to
+an extraordinary thing which occurred in my laboratory.'
+
+"'What was it?' asked Rey, beginning to be interested.
+
+"'I had to calcine two pounds six ounces of tin. I weighed it carefully
+and then calcined it, and after the operation I weighed it again by
+chance, and what was my astonishment to find two pounds and thirteen
+ounces! Whence come these extra seven ounces? That is what I could not
+explain to myself, and that is why I came to consult you.'
+
+"Rey tried the same experiment again and again, and finally concluded
+that the increase of weight came from combination with some part of the
+air.
+
+"It is probable that this explanation did not satisfy the druggist; and
+yet the doctor was right. The increase came from the combination of the
+metal with that part of the air which Lavoisier called oxygen. That
+great chemist, after long study, declared that air was not a simple
+body, but that it was a composite formed of two bodies, of two
+gases,--oxygen and nitrogen. This opinion, running counter as it did to
+all preconceived ideas, raised a storm around the head of the learned
+man. He was looked upon as a fool, as an imbecile, as an ignoramus. That
+is the usual way.
+
+"Lavoisier resolved to show to the unbelievers the two bodies whose
+existence he had announced. In the experiment of increasing the weight
+of metals during calcination, an experiment which has been often
+repeated since Jehan Rey's time, either tin or lead had always been
+used. Now, these metals, during calcination, absorb a good deal of
+oxygen from the air, but, once they have absorbed it, they do not give
+it up again. Lavoisier abandoned tin and lead, and made use of a liquid
+metal called mercury. Mercury possesses not only the property of
+combining with the oxygen of the air when it is heated, but also that of
+giving back this oxygen as soon as the boiling-point is passed. The
+chemist put mercury in a glass retort whose neck was very long and bent
+over twice. The retort was placed upon an oven in such a way that the
+bent end of the neck opened into the top of the globe full of air,
+placed in a tube also full of mercury. By means of a bent tube, a little
+air had been sucked out of the globe in such a way that the mercury in
+the tube, finding the pressure diminished, had risen a slight distance
+in the globe. In this manner the height of the mercury in the globe was
+very readily seen. The level of the mercury in the globe was noted
+exactly, as well as the temperature and the pressure. Everything being
+now ready for the experiment, Lavoisier heated the mercury in the retort
+to the boiling-point, and kept it on the fire for twelve days. The
+mercury became covered with red pellicles, whose number increased
+towards the seventh and eighth days; at the end of the twelfth day, as
+the pellicles did not increase, Lavoisier discontinued the heat. Then he
+found out that the mercury had risen in the globe much higher than
+before he had begun the experiment, which indicated that the air
+contained in the globe had diminished. The air which remained in the
+globe had become a gas which was unfit either for combustion or for
+respiration; in fact, it was nitrogen. But the air which had
+disappeared from the globe, where had it gone to? What had become of
+it?"
+
+"Yes," said Miette, "it is like the air of our globe just now. Where has
+it gone?"
+
+"Wait a moment. Let us confine ourselves to Lavoisier's experiment."
+
+"We are listening."
+
+"Well, Lavoisier decided that the air which had disappeared could not
+have escaped from the globe, because that was closed on all sides. He
+examined the mercury. It seemed in very much the same state. What
+difference was there? None, excepting the red pellicles. Then it was in
+the pellicles that he must seek for the air which had disappeared. So
+the red pellicles were taken up and heated in a little retort, furnished
+with a tube which could gather the gas; under the action of heat the
+pellicles were decomposed. Lavoisier obtained mercury and a gas. The
+quantity of gas which he obtained represented the exact difference
+between the original bulk of the air in the globe and the bulk of the
+gas which the globe held at the end of the experiment. Therefore
+Lavoisier had not been deceived. The air which had disappeared from the
+globe had been found. This gas restored from the red pellicles was much
+better fitted than the air of the atmosphere for combustion and
+respiration. When a candle was placed in it, it burned with a dazzling
+light. A piece of charcoal, instead of consuming quietly, as in ordinary
+air, burned with a flame and with a sort of crackling sound, and with a
+light so strong that the eye could hardly bear it. That gas was oxygen."
+
+"And so the doubters were convinced," said Miette.
+
+"Or at least they ought to have been," added Monsieur Dalize,
+philosophically.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+WHY WATER PUTS OUT FIRE.
+
+
+"You have never seen oxygen any more than you have seen air," continued
+Monsieur Roger. "You have never seen it, and you never will see it with
+your eyes,--for those organs are very imperfect. I need not therefore
+say oxygen is a colorless gas; and yet I will say it to you by force of
+habit. All books of chemistry begin in this way. Besides this, it is
+without smell and without taste. Oxygen is extremely well fitted for
+combustion. A half-extinguished candle--that is, one whose wick is still
+burning but without flame--will relight instantly if placed in a globe
+full of oxygen. Almost all the metals, except the precious metals, such
+as gold, silver, and platinum, burn, or oxydize more or less rapidly,
+when they are put in contact with oxygen; for, besides those lively
+combustions, in which metals, or other materials, become hot and are
+maintained in a state of incandescence, there are other kinds of burning
+which may be called slow combustions. You have often had under your
+eyes, without knowing it, examples of these slow combustions. For
+example, you have seen bits of iron left in the air, or in the water,
+and covered with a dark-red or light-red matter."
+
+"That is rust," said Miette.
+
+"Yes, that is what they call rust; and this rust is nothing less than
+the product of the combustion of the iron. The oxygen which is found in
+the air, or the water, has come in contact with the bit of iron and has
+made it burn. It is a slow combustion, without flames, but it
+nevertheless releases some heat. Verdigris, in some of its forms, is
+nothing less than the product of the combustion----"
+
+"Of copper," interrupted Miette again.
+
+"Miette has said it. These metals burn when they come in contact with
+the oxygen of the air,--or, in the language of science, they are
+oxydized; and this oxydation is simple combustion. Therefore, oxygen is
+the principal agent in combustion. The process which we call burning is
+due to the oxygen uniting itself to some combustible body. There is no
+doubt on that subject, for it has been found that the weight of the
+products of combustion is equal to the sum of the weight of the body
+which burns and that of the oxygen which combines with it. In the
+experiment which we have made, if the oxygen has diminished in the
+globe, if it seems to have disappeared, it is because it has united
+itself and combined with the carbon of the candle to form the flame. In
+the same way in Lavoisier's experiment it had combined itself with the
+mercury to form the red pellicles. The candle had gone out when all the
+oxygen in the globe had been absorbed; the red pellicles had ceased to
+form when they found no more oxygen. In this way Lavoisier discovered
+that the air was formed of a mixture of two gases: the first was oxygen,
+of which we have just spoken; the second was nitrogen. The nitrogen,
+which is also a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, possesses some
+qualities that are precisely contrary to those of oxygen. Oxygen is the
+agent of combustion. Nitrogen extinguishes bodies in combustion. Oxygen
+is a gas indispensable to our existence, with which our lungs breathe,
+and which revives our being. The nitrogen, on the contrary, contains no
+properties that are directly useful to the body. Animals placed in a
+globe full of nitrogen perish of asphyxia. In other words, they drown in
+the gas, or are smothered by it. I suppose you will ask me what is the
+use of this gas, and why it enters into the composition of the air? You
+will ask it with all the more curiosity when you know that the air
+contains four times as much nitrogen as oxygen; to be exact, a hundred
+cubic feet of air contains seventy-nine cubic feet of nitrogen and
+twenty-one cubic feet of oxygen. Now, the important part that nitrogen
+plays is to moderate the action of the oxygen in respiration. You may
+compare this nitrogen mixed with oxygen to the water which you put in a
+glass of wine to temper it. Nitrogen possesses also another property
+which is more general: it is one of the essential elements in a certain
+number of mineral and vegetable substances and the larger portion of
+animal substances. There are certain compounds containing nitrogen which
+are indispensable to our food. An animal nourished entirely on food
+which is destitute of nitrogen would become weak and would soon die."
+
+"Excuse me, Monsieur Roger," said Albert Dalize: "how can nitrogen enter
+into our food?"
+
+"That is a very good question," added Miette, laughing; "surely you
+cannot eat nitrogen and you cannot eat gas."
+
+"The question is indeed a very sensible one," answered Monsieur Roger;
+"but this is how nitrogen enters into our food. We are carnivorous, are
+we not? we eat meat and flesh of animals. And what flesh do we chiefly
+eat? The flesh of sheep and of cattle. Sheep and cattle are herbivorous:
+they feed on herbs, on vegetables. Now, vegetables contain nitrogen.
+They have taken this nitrogen, either directly or indirectly, from the
+atmosphere and have fixed it in their tissues. Herbivorous animals, in
+eating vegetables, eat nitrogen, and we, who are carnivorous, we also
+eat nitrogen, since we eat the herbivorous animals. We also eat
+vegetable food, many kinds of which contain more or less nitrogen. Do
+you understand?"
+
+"Yes, I understand," said Miette.
+
+"There is nobody living who really understands this matter very well,
+for it is an extremely obscure, though very important, subject," replied
+Monsieur Roger. "But, to resume our explanation. Besides oxygen and
+nitrogen, there is also in the air a little carbonic acid and vapor. The
+carbonic acid will bring us back to the point from which we
+started,--the phenomenon of breathing. Carbonic acid is a gas formed by
+oxygen and carbon. The carbon is a body which is found under a large
+variety of forms. It has two or more varieties,--it is either pure or
+mixed with impurities. Its varieties can be united in two groups. The
+first group comprises the diamond and graphite, or plumbago, which are
+natural carbon. The second group comprises coal, charcoal, and the soot
+of a chimney, which we may call, for convenience, artificial carbon.
+When oxygen finds itself in contact with carbonaceous matter,--that is
+to say, with matter that contains carbon,--and when the surrounding
+temperature has reached the proper degree of heat, carbonic acid begins
+to be formed. In the oven and the furnace, coal and charcoal mingle with
+the oxygen of the air and give the necessary heat; but it is first
+necessary that by the aid of a match, paper, and kindling-wood you
+should have furnished the temperature at which oxygen can join with the
+carbon in order to burn it. That is what we may call an active or a
+live combustion; but there can also be a slow combustion of carbon,--a
+combustion without flame, and still giving out heat. It is this
+combustion which goes on in our body by means of respiration."
+
+"Ah, now we have come around to it!" cried Miette. "That is the very
+thing I was inquiring about."
+
+"Well, now that we have come around to it," answered Monsieur Roger,
+"tell me what I began to say to you on the subject of respiration."
+
+"That is not very difficult," answered Miette, in her quiet manner. "You
+told us that we swallowed oxygen and gave out carbonic acid; and you
+also said, 'Whence comes this carbonic acid? From combustion.' That is
+why I said, just now, 'We have come around to it.'"
+
+"Very good,--very good, indeed, only we do not _swallow_ oxygen, but we
+_inhale_ it," said Monsieur Dalize, charmed with the cleverness of his
+little girl.
+
+"What, then, is the cause of this production of carbonic acid?"
+continued Monsieur Roger. "You don't know? Well, I am going to tell you.
+The oxygen of the air which we breathe arrives into our lungs and finds
+itself in contact with the carbon in the black or venous blood. The
+carbon contained here joins with the oxygen, and forms the carbonic acid
+which we breathe out. This is a real, a slow combustion which takes
+place not only in our lungs,--as I said at first, in order not to make
+the explanation too difficult,--but also in all the different portions
+of our body. The air composed of oxygen and nitrogen--for the nitrogen
+enters naturally with the oxygen--penetrates into the pulmonary cells,
+spreads itself through the blood, and is borne through the numberless
+little capillary vessels. It is in these little vessels that combustion
+takes place,--that is to say, that the oxygen unites with the carbon and
+that carbonic acid is formed. This carbonic acid circulates, dissolved
+in the blood, until it can escape out of it. It is in the lungs that it
+finds liberty. When it arrives there it escapes from the blood, is
+exhaled, and is at once replaced by the new oxygen and the new nitrogen
+which arrive from outside. The nitrogen absorbed in aspiration at the
+same time as the oxygen is found to be of very much the same quantity
+when it goes out. There has therefore been no appreciable absorption of
+nitrogen. Now, this slow combustion causes the heat of our body; in
+fact, what is called the animal-heat is due to the caloric set free at
+the moment when the oxygen is converted into carbonic acid, in the same
+way as in all combustion of carbon. In conclusion, I will remind you
+that our digestion is exercised on two sorts of food,--nitrogenous food
+and carbonaceous food. Nitrogenous food--like fibrin, which is the chief
+substance in flesh; albumen, which is the principal substance of the
+egg; caseine, the principal substance of milk; legumine, of peas and
+beans--is assimilated in our organs, which they regenerate, which they
+rebuild continually. Carbonaceous foods--like the starch of the potato,
+of sugar, alcohol, oils, and the fat of animals--do not assimilate; they
+do not increase at all the substance of our muscles or the solidity of
+our bones. It is they which are burned and which aid in burning those
+waste materials of the venous blood of which I have already spoken.
+Still, many starchy foods do contain some nutritive principles, but in
+very small quantity. You will understand how little when you know that
+you would have to eat about fifteen pounds of potatoes to give your body
+the force that would be given it by a single pound of beef."
+
+"Oh," said Miette, "I don't like beef; but fifteen pounds of
+potatoes,--I would care still less to eat so much at once."
+
+"All the less that they would fatten you perceptibly," replied Monsieur
+Roger; "in fact, it is the carbonaceous foods which fatten. If they are
+introduced into the body in too great a quantity, they do not find
+enough oxygen to burn them, and they are deposited in the adipose or
+fatty tissue, where they will be useless and often harmful. You see how
+indispensable oxygen is to human life, and you now understand that if
+respiration does not go on with regularity, if the oxygen of your room
+should become exhausted, if the lungs were filled with carbonic acid
+produced by the combustion of fuel outside the body, there would follow
+at first a great deal of difficulty in breathing, then fainting, torpor,
+and, finally, asphyxia."
+
+These last words, pronounced by Monsieur Roger with much emotion,
+brought before them a remembrance so recent and so terrible that all
+remained silent and thoughtful. It was Miss Miette who first broke the
+spell by asking a new question of her friend Roger. Asphyxia had
+recalled to her the fire. Then she had thought of the manner of
+extinguishing fire, and she said, all of a sudden, her idea translating
+itself upon her lips almost without consciousness,--
+
+"Why does water extinguish fire?"
+
+Monsieur Roger, drawn out of his thoughts by this question, raised his
+head, looked at Miette, and said to her,--
+
+"In the first place, do you know what water is?"
+
+"No; but you were going to tell me."
+
+"All right. The celebrated Lavoisier, after having shown that air is not
+a simple body, but that it is composed of two gases, next turned his
+attention to the study of water, which was also, up to that time,
+considered to be an element; that is, a simple body. He studied it so
+skilfully that he succeeded in showing that water was formed by the
+combination of two gases."
+
+"Of two gases!--water?" cried Miette.
+
+"Certainly, of two gases. One of these gases is oxygen, which we have
+already spoken of, and the other is hydrogen."
+
+"Which we are going to speak of," added Miette.
+
+"Of course," answered Monsieur Roger, "since you wish it. But it was not
+Lavoisier, however, who first discovered hydrogen. This gas had been
+discovered before his time by the chemists Paracelsus and Boyle, who had
+found out that in placing iron or zinc in contact with an acid called
+sulphuric acid, there was disengaged an air "like a breath." This air
+"like a breath" is what we now call hydrogen. Lavoisier, with the
+assistance of the chemist Meusnier, proved that it was this gas which in
+combining with oxygen formed water. In order to do this he blew a
+current of hydrogen into a retort filled with oxygen. As this hydrogen
+penetrated into the retort, he set fire to it by means of electric
+sparks. Two stop-cocks regulated the proper proportions of the oxygen
+and the hydrogen in the retort. When the combustion took place, they saw
+water form in drops upon the sides of the retort and unite at the
+bottom. Water was therefore the product of the combination of hydrogen
+with oxygen. The following anecdote is told in regard to this
+combination. A chemist of the last century, who was fond of flattery,
+was engaged to give some lessons to a young prince of the blood royal.
+When he came to explain the composition of water, he prepared before his
+scholar the necessary apparatus for making the combination of hydrogen
+and oxygen, and, at the moment when he was about to send the electric
+spark into the retort, he said, bowing his head,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"'If it please your Royal Highness, this hydrogen and oxygen are about
+to have the honor of combining before you.'
+
+"I don't know if the hydrogen and the oxygen were aware of the honor
+which was being done them; but certainly they combined with no more
+manners than if their spectator was an ordinary boy. Now, I may add, you
+must not confound combinations with mixtures; thus, air is a mixture of
+oxygen and nitrogen, while water is a combination of hydrogen and
+oxygen. This combination is a union of the molecules of the two gases
+which produces a composite body formed of new molecules. These new
+molecules are water. Now, this last word recalls to me Miette's
+question."
+
+"Yes," said the latter: "why does water put out fire?"
+
+"There are two reasons for this phenomenon," said Monsieur Roger: "the
+first is that water thrown upon the fire forms around the matter in
+combustion a thick cloud, or vapor, which prevents the air from reaching
+it. The wood, which was burning--that is to say, which was mingling with
+the oxygen of the air--finds its communication intercepted. The humid
+vapor has interposed between the carbon of the wood and the oxygen of
+the air; therefore, the combustion is forced to stop. Further, water
+falling upon the fire is transformed, as you very well know, into vapor,
+or steam. Now, this conversion into vapor necessitates the taking up of
+a certain quantity of heat. This heat is taken away from the body which
+is being burned, and that body is thus made much cooler; the combustion
+therefore becomes less active, and the fire is at last extinguished."
+
+"Very good," said Miette; "but still another question, and I will let
+you alone."
+
+"You promise?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, then, what is your last question?"
+
+"Why is a candle put out by blowing on it, and why do they light a fire
+by doing the same thing?"
+
+"In these two cases there are two very different actions," replied
+Monsieur Roger: "in the first there is a mechanical action, and in the
+second a chemical action. In blowing upon a candle the violence of the
+air which you send out of your mouth detaches a flame which holds on
+only to the wick. The burning particles of this wick are blown away, and
+consequently the combustion is stopped. But the case is very different
+when you blow with a bellows or with your mouth upon the fire in the
+stove. There the substance in combustion, whether wood or coal, is a
+mass large enough to resist the violence of the current of air you throw
+in, and it profits from the air which you send to it so abundantly, by
+taking the oxygen which it contains and burning up still more briskly.
+
+"Now, that is the answer to your last question; and I must beg you to
+remember your promise, and ask me no more hard questions to-night."
+
+"Yes, friend Roger," said Miette, "I will leave you alone; you may go to
+sleep."
+
+"And it will be a well-earned sleep," added Madame Dalize, with the
+assent of every one.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+PAUL OR GEORGE?
+
+
+At the end of this long talk every one rose. Monsieur and Madame Dalize,
+with Monsieur Roger and Albert, walked towards the chateau. Paul
+Solange, silent and motionless, followed them with his eyes. When
+Monsieur Roger reached the step, he turned and made a friendly gesture
+to Paul, who responded by a bow. His eyes, in resting on Monsieur Roger,
+had an affectionate, softened, and respectful look. Miette saw it, and
+was struck by it. She approached, passed her arm in Paul's, and said,
+softly,--
+
+"You love him very much,--Monsieur Roger?"
+
+"Yes," answered Paul, with surprise.
+
+"You love him very, very much?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And he too loves you very well. I can see that. But do you love him as
+much as if he----?"
+
+And Miette paused, embarrassed a little, feeling that what she was going
+to say was very important; still, being certain that she was right, she
+continued:
+
+"As much as if he was--your papa?"
+
+Paul started.
+
+"Yes; you love him as much and perhaps--perhaps more," she cried, seeing
+Paul start.
+
+"Why do you say things like that to me?" murmured Paul, much moved.
+
+"Because--nothing."
+
+"Why do you think that I love Monsieur Roger in the manner that you have
+just said?"
+
+"Because----"
+
+"Because what?"
+
+"Well, because I look at my papa just as I see you looking at Monsieur
+Roger."
+
+Paul tried to hide his embarrassment, and replied,--
+
+"You are foolish."
+
+Then he looked up at Miette, who shook her head and smiled, as if to
+say that she was not foolish. An idea came to him.
+
+"Miette," said he, softly, "I am going to ask you something."
+
+"Ask it."
+
+"But you will tell it to no one?"
+
+"To no one."
+
+"Well, do you know why Monsieur Roger, at the fire at the farm, called
+me--called me George?"
+
+"Why, certainly, I know."
+
+"You know?" cried Paul.
+
+"Yes: he called you George because he thought suddenly that his child,
+his little George, whom he lost in a fire,--in a fire on shipboard----"
+
+Paul Solange listened, opening his eyes very wide.
+
+"Ah, that is true. You don't know anything about it. You were not here
+when Monsieur Roger told us this terrible thing."
+
+"No, I was not here; but you were here, Miette. Well, speak--tell me all
+about it."
+
+Then Miette repeated to Paul Monsieur Roger's story; she told him about
+the departure of Monsieur Roger, his wife, and their little George for
+America, their voyage on the ship, then the fire at sea. She told about
+the grief, the almost insane grief, which Monsieur Roger had felt when
+he saw himself separated from his wife and his son, who had been taken
+off in a boat, while he remained upon the steamer. Then she told Paul of
+the despair of Monsieur Roger when he saw that boat disappear and
+bear down with it to a watery grave those whom he loved.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"At that moment," continued Miette, "Monsieur Roger told us that he
+cried out 'George! George!' with a voice so loud, so terrified, that
+certainly his little boy must have heard."
+
+Miette stopped.
+
+"Why, what is the matter, Paul?" she cried: "are you sick?"
+
+For Paul Solange had suddenly become so pale that Miette was scared.
+
+"Not at all," said he; "not at all; but finish your story."
+
+"It is finished."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Poor Monsieur Roger has never again seen his wife or his little
+George--or at least he saw his wife, whose body had been cast up by the
+waves, but the body of the little boy remained at the bottom of the
+sea."
+
+After a silence, Miette added,--
+
+"You now understand how it is that the fire at the farm recalled to him
+at once the fire on the ship, and why, in his grief, in his fright to
+see you in so great a danger, he thought of his little boy, and cried
+'George!' You understand, don't you?"
+
+Paul remained an instant without answering; then, very gravely, with a
+pale face and wide open eyes, he said,--
+
+"I understand."
+
+Paul Solange did not sleep the night which followed the day on which he
+learned all these things. His brain was full of strange thoughts. He was
+calling up shadowy confused recollections. He sought to go back as far
+as possible to the first years of his childhood, but his memory was at
+fault. He suddenly found a dark corner where everything disappeared; he
+could go no farther; but now that he knew Monsieur Roger's story, he was
+certain, absolutely certain that he had answered to the name of George
+in the fire at the farm. It was that name, that name only, which had
+suddenly shaken off his torpor and given him the strength to awake; it
+was that name that had saved him. Feverishly searching in his memory, he
+said to himself that this name he had heard formerly pronounced with the
+same loud and terrified voice in some crisis, which must have been very
+terrible, but which he could not recall; and then, hesitating anxiously,
+feeling that he was making a fool of himself, he asked himself if it was
+during the fire on shipboard, of which Miette had spoken, that he had
+heard this name of George; and little by little, in the silence of the
+night, this conviction entered and fixed itself in his mind. Then he
+turned his thoughts upon the way that Monsieur Roger had treated him.
+Whence this sudden and great affection which Monsieur Roger had shown
+him? Why that sympathy which he knew to be profound and whose cause he
+could not explain, as he did not merit it a bit more than his friend
+Albert? Why had Monsieur Roger so bravely risked his life to save him?
+Why had his emotion been so great? Lastly, why this cry of "George?"
+
+And Paul Solange arrived at this logical conclusion,--
+
+"If Monsieur Roger loves me so much; if he gave me, at the terrible
+moment when I came near dying, the name of his son, it must be because I
+recalled to him his son; it must be because I resemble his little
+George. And what then?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+MY FATHER.
+
+
+When Paul at last fell into an uneasy sleep, the sun had been up for
+some hours. Monsieur Dalize and his friend Roger went out from the
+chateau.
+
+"Has the postman not been here yet?" said Monsieur Dalize to his
+servant.
+
+"No sir; he will not be here for an hour."
+
+"Very well; we will go to meet him."
+
+And in fact, in his haste, Monsieur Roger carried his friend off to meet
+the postman.
+
+But days had elapsed since Monsieur Dalize had, according to promise,
+written to the registrar of births, to ask him to forward a copy of the
+register of birth of Paul Solange, and no answer had yet arrived. This
+silence had astonished Monsieur Dalize and given a hope to Monsieur
+Roger.
+
+"There must be some reason, don't you see," he said, walking beside his
+friend. "Some important reason why the registrar has not yet answered
+your pressing letter."
+
+"A reason, an important reason," replied Monsieur Dalize; "the
+explanation may be that the registrar is away."
+
+"No; there is some other reason," answered Monsieur Roger with
+conviction.
+
+Half-way to the station they met the letter-carrier, who said,--
+
+"Monsieur Dalize, there are two letters for you."
+
+The first letter which Monsieur Dalize opened bore the address of the
+registrar of births. He rapidly read the few lines, then turned towards
+Roger.
+
+"You are right," said he; "there is a reason. Read."
+
+"I pray _you_ read it; I am too much excited," replied Roger.
+
+Monsieur Dalize read as follows:
+
+"=Sir=:
+
+  "The researches which I have made in my docket to find the
+  register of birth of Paul Solange must be my excuse for the delay.
+  We have not the register of birth which you ask for, but in its
+  place is a paper so important that I have not the right to part
+  with it; still, I shall be ready to place this paper under your eyes
+  when you come to Paris.
+
+                                         "Yours respectfully," etc.
+
+"I go," said Monsieur Dalize, consulting his watch; "I have just time to
+catch the train, and I shall return in time for dinner. Go back to the
+chateau and tell them that an important letter calls me to Paris."
+
+Monsieur Roger took the hand of his friend with a joy which he could not
+conceal, and said,--
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"I go to please you," answered Monsieur Dalize, not wishing that his
+friend should have hopes excited, for failure might leave him more
+unhappy than ever. "I am going to see this important paper, but I see no
+reason why it should show that Paul was not the son of Monsieur Solange.
+So keep calm; you will need all your calmness on my return."
+
+Before leaving, Monsieur Dalize opened the envelope of the second
+letter; as the first lines caught his eyes, an expression of sorrow and
+surprise came over his face.
+
+"That is very strange and very sad," said he.
+
+"What is it?" asked Roger.
+
+"It is strange that this letter speaks of Monsieur Solange, the father
+of Paul, and it is sad that it also brings me bad news."
+
+"Speak," said Roger, quickly.
+
+"This letter is from my successor in the banking house, and it says that
+Monsieur Solange, of Martinique, has suspended payment."
+
+"Has Monsieur Solange failed?" asked Roger.
+
+"The letter adds that they are awaiting fuller information from the mail
+that should arrive to-day. You see that my presence in Paris is doubly
+necessary. Come down to the station to meet me in the coupe at five
+o'clock, and come alone."
+
+The sudden departure of Monsieur Dalize did not very much astonish the
+people at the Chateau, but what did astonish them, and become a subject
+of remark for all, was the new expression on the face of Monsieur Roger.
+He seemed extremely moved, but his features showed hope and joy, which
+had chased away his usual sadness. Madame Dalize inquired what had
+happened, and Monsieur Roger told her the whole story.
+
+Monsieur Roger hoped, and he was even happier that day than ever to find
+himself near Paul, because the latter showed himself more affectionate
+than ever. Long before the appointed hour, Monsieur Roger was at the
+station, awaiting with impatience the return of Monsieur Dalize. At last
+the train came in sight, and soon Monsieur Dalize got out of the car.
+
+"Well?" said Roger, with a trembling voice, awaiting the yes or the no
+on which his happiness or his despair depended. Monsieur Dalize, without
+answering, led Roger away from the station; then, when they were in the
+coupe, which started at a brisk pace, Monsieur Dalize threw his arms
+around his friend, with these words:
+
+"Be happy, it is your son!"
+
+Roger's eyes filled with tears, great big tears, which he could not
+restrain, tears of joy succeeding to the many tears of sorrow which he
+had shed. At last he murmured,--
+
+"You have the proofs?"
+
+"I have two proofs, one of which comes in a very sad way."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"The confession of Monsieur Solange, who wrote to me on his death-bed."
+
+"Unhappy man!"
+
+"Unhappy, yes; but also guilty."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Well, read first a copy of the paper which took the place of the
+birth-register of Paul Solange."
+
+Through his tears, Monsieur Roger read as follows:
+
+"This 24th day of December, 1877, before me, Jean-Jacques Solange,
+French Consul of the Island of Saint-Christopher, in the English
+Antilles, appeared Jan Carit, captain of the Danish fishing vessel,
+'Jutland,' and Steffenz and Kield, who declared to him that on the 15th
+of December, 1877, finding themselves near the Island of Eleuthera, in
+the archipelago of the Bahamas, they perceived a raft, from which they
+took a child of the masculine sex, who seemed to be between two and
+three years old. We have given him the name of Pierre Paul. In witness
+whereof, the above-named parties have hereunto set their hands and
+seals."
+
+When he had finished, Roger cried,--
+
+"There is no doubt,--the date, the place, everything is proof."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Which would not be sufficient, if I had not this."
+
+And Monsieur Dalize gave to his friend Solange's letter. In this letter
+Monsieur Solange announced his ruin, and his approaching death from
+heart-disease; the doctors had given him up, and he begged Monsieur
+Dalize to tell Paul that he was not his son. Monsieur Solange declared
+that he was the French Consul at the Island of Saint Christopher when
+some Danish fishermen, from the Island of Saint Thomas, brought him the
+child, which they had found in the sea. He and his wife had no children.
+They determined to adopt the child which had been found. Monsieur
+Solange confessed that he had been wanting in his duty in not making the
+necessary search. He excused himself sadly by saying that he was
+convinced of the death of the parents of the child, and he begged for
+pardon, as he had wished to bring this child up and make him happy. In
+finishing, he said that the linen of the child was marked "G. L. M.,"
+and that the boy could pronounce the French words "maman" and "papa."
+
+"I pardon him," said, gravely and solemnly, Monsieur Roger.
+
+The coupe had entered the park, and the two gentlemen alighted before
+the chateau, where the family awaited them. Monsieur Dalize advanced
+towards him who had hitherto been called Paul Solange, and who really
+was George La Morliere.
+
+"My dear child," said he, "I have news for you,--some very sad news and
+some very happy news."
+
+Anxious, excited, George came forward. Monsieur Dalize continued:
+
+"You have lost him who was your adopted father,--Monsieur Solange."
+
+"Monsieur Solange is dead!" cried George, bowing his head, overwhelmed
+at the news.
+
+"But," Monsieur Dalize hastened to add, "you have found your real
+father."
+
+At these words George raised his head again; his eyes went straight
+towards those of Monsieur Roger. He ran forward and threw himself in the
+arms which were opened to him, repeating, between his tears,--
+
+"My father! my father!"
+
+And Miss Miette, who wept, as all the rest did, at this moving
+spectacle, said, in the midst of her sobs,--
+
+"I knew it; I knew it; I knew it was his papa!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's In Search of a Son, by William Shepard Walsh
+
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