I never saw the baron afterwards. My
curiosity, however, did not suffer me to be in ignorance of my friend's
proceedings; and what I have now to add is gathered from a
communication, received shortly after the baron's death, from his
faithful and attached _Francois_.

For seven years the priest came annually with his gifts to the Hotel
Dieu, and on each occasion was the baron's visitor; at first for a day
or two, but afterwards for a week--and then longer still. During the
second visitation, it was discovered that the minister was related
distantly to the baron's former friend _Sebastian_. As soon as this was
known, the surgeon offered the good man a home and an annuity. The
former he modestly declined: the latter he accepted, distributing it in
alms amongst the needy who abounded in his parish. The surgeon and the
priest became great friends and frequent correspondents. The temper of
the baron altered. He grew less morose--less violent--less
self-indulgent--less bigoted. He reconciled a proper respect for the
rich with a feeling regard for the poor. He became the pupil of the
simple priest, and profited by his instruction and example. Seven years
after my departure from Paris, the baron fell ill--and the priest of
Auvergne, summoned to his bedside, ministered there, and gave his
blessing to a meek, obedient child. He died, and the priest, shedding
tears of sorrow and of joy commingled, closed his glassy eyes. What
passed between them in his latest moments may not be repeated.
_Francois_ heard but a sentence as he knelt at his master's pillow. It
was amongst the last he uttered.

"Francois, love the Auvergnats: they have saved your poor master--body
and soul!"

That body was borne to the grave by the students of the _Hotel
Dieu_--the greyheaded priest following in the train; and the
_soul_--Heaven in its infinite mercy hath surely not forgotten.

FOOTNOTES:

[28] It was not until a few weeks after my arrival in Paris that I
became acquainted with the fact, thus delicately pointed at by my modest
friend Mr H----. It would appear that no Parisian student of medicine
can pursue his studies at home without assistance. A female friend,
tutor, or whatever else she may be called, graced the lodgings of every
one of my hospital friends.

THE SNOW.

BY DELTA.

I.

The snow! the snow! 'tis a pleasant thing
To watch it falling, falling
Down upon earth with noiseless wing,
As at some spirit's