ed is
one of love, of joy, of peace, of hope. I have been told that the God
who has made me, being infinite, must also be perfect in holiness and
power. He has promised perfect peace to those whose minds are staid on
him. On his word do I rely with full confidence, as the child does upon
a parent's. And as I have learnt, so would I teach you, dear Caliste,
that our God is love, and those that turn to Him he will in no wise cast
off."

"Would that I could think as you do!" exclaimed the poor girl; "would
that I were a heretic like you, Victorine, and that I might but be
permitted to read in that book you have studied from childhood!"

D'Elsac was now aware that the fete had broken up, and the villagers were
returning to their homes; and, unwilling to be found where he was, he
left the spot; and, taking a turn, he presently came back to the cottage.
He found all the family assembled in the kitchen, when he returned; and
he came in just in time to hear Valmont rebuke Lisette severely for her
conduct during the day.

She replied with passion and insolence to his displeasure; and the father
irritated, again reproved her, commanding her to be silent, and to go up
to her chamber. She obeyed him so far as to leave the apartment, taking
no heed of Caliste, but muttering out her discontent at the behaviour of
her relatives towards her, and she even proceeded to some kind of threat
which, for the time, was unnoticed.

Valmont next spoke with some bitterness to Caliste, and then left the
apartment in displeasure.

With some difficulty, D'Elsac supported, or rather carried, Caliste to
the chamber above; for her father's words had so grieved her that she was
immediately taken worse; and then, leaving her to her mother and
Victorine, he left the cottage, unable to sleep, thinking that a walk in
the quiet moonlight would do him good.

When he returned he found the door of the house still open and Mimi
asleep upon the bed. He watched by his little niece for a considerable
time till Victorine appeared, and said, "it was her intention to sit up
all night with Caliste," and then recommended him to go to bed. "I
cannot sleep," he said, "I shall sit by the fire to-night, and then I
shall be at hand if you want anything for poor Caliste." Victorine
thanked him for his kindness, and seeing that Mimi still slept on, she
would not rouse her, but went up again to her sister's chamber.

It was a long and weary night to many in that