arts, drew my portrait; she said the expression of my countenance put
her in mind of Alfieri's Saul.'

'And do you still visit her?'

'No, she soon grew tired of me, and told people that she found me very
stupid; she gave me the Armenian books, however.'

'Saul,' said my father, musingly, 'Saul. I am afraid she was only too
right there; he disobeyed the commands of his master, and brought down on
his head the vengeance of Heaven--he became a maniac, prophesied, and
flung weapons about him.'

'He was, indeed, an awful character--I hope I shan't turn out like him.'

'God forbid!' said my father, solemnly; 'but in many respects you are
headstrong and disobedient like him. I placed you in a profession, and
besought you to make yourself master of it by giving it your undivided
attention. This, however, you did not do, you know nothing of it, but
tell me that you are acquainted with Armenian; but what I dislike most is
your want of candour--you are my son, but I know little of your real
history, you may know fifty things for what I am aware: you may know how
to shoe a horse for what I am aware.'

'Not only to shoe a horse, father, but to make horse-shoes.'

'Perhaps so,' said my father; 'and it only serves to prove what I was
just saying, that I know little about you.'

'But you easily may, my dear father; I will tell you anything that you
may wish to know--shall I inform you how I learnt to make horse-shoes?'

'No,' said my father; 'as you kept it a secret so long, it may as well
continue so still. Had you been a frank, open-hearted boy, like one I
could name, you would have told me all about it of your own accord. But
I now wish to ask you a serious question--what do you propose to do?'

'To do, father?'

'Yes! the time for which you were articled to your profession will soon
be expired, and I shall be no more.'

'Do not talk so, my dear father; I have no doubt that you will soon be
better.'

'Do not flatter yourself; I feel that my days are numbered, I am soon
going to my rest, and I have need of rest, for I am weary. There, there,
don't weep! Tears will help me as little as they will you; you have not
yet answered my question. Tell me what you intend to do?'

'I really do not know what I shall do.'

'The military pension which I enjoy will cease with my life. The
property which I shall leave behind me will be barely sufficient for the
maintenance of your mother respectably. I again ask you what