ness we had hoped for, but it brings some other. In the
world everything is ruled by order, and has its proper and necessary
consequences, and virtue cannot be the sole exception to the general law.
If it had been prejudicial to those who practised it, experience would
have avenged them; but experience has, on the contrary, made it more
universal and more holy. We only accuse it of being a faithless debtor
because we demand an immediate payment, and one apparent to our senses.
We always consider life as a fairytale, in which every good action must
be rewarded by a visible wonder. We do not accept as payment a peaceful
conscience, self-content, or a good name among men--treasures that are
more precious than any other, but the value of which we do not feel till
after we have lost them!

Michael is come back, and has returned to his work. His son has not yet
arrived.

By telling me of his hopes and his grievous disappointments, he became
excited; he unceasingly went over again the same subject, always adding
something to his griefs. He had just wound up his confidential discourse
by speaking to me of a joiner's business which he had hoped to buy, and
work to good account with Robert's help. The present owner had made a
fortune by it, and, after thirty years of business, he was thinking of
retiring to one of the ornamental cottages in the outskirts of the city,
a usual retreat for the frugal and successful workingman. Michael had not
indeed the two thousand francs which must be paid down; but perhaps he
could have persuaded Master Benoit to wait. Robert's presence would have
been a security for him, for the young man could not fail to insure the
prosperity of a workshop; besides science and skill, he had the power of
invention and bringing to perfection. His father had discovered among his
drawings a new plan for a staircase, which had occupied his thoughts for
a long time; and he even suspected him of having engaged himself to the
Versailles contractor for the very purpose of executing it. The youth was
tormented by this spirit of invention, which took possession of all his
thoughts, and, while devoting his mind to study, he had no time to listen
to his feelings.

Michael told me all this with a mixed feeling of pride and vexation. I
saw he was proud of the son he was abusing, and that his very pride made
him more sensitive to that son's neglect.

Six o'clock P.M.--I have just finished a happy day. How many events have