which troubles us
now, will be decided for us soon. Something is to happen that will show
us plainly what must be done."

So it was: something was indeed to happen, sooner even than he supposed.

XL.

_THE WONDERS OF THE CAVE._

The other inmates of the cave had breakfasted whilst the old clergyman
was asleep. Toby was now occupied in preparing his dish of coffee, and
Mr. Villars invited the patriots to remain and take a cup with him.

Penn noticed Cudjo's discontent at seeing Toby usurp his function. He
remembered also a rare pleasure he had been promising himself whenever
he should find Cudjo at leisure and circumstances favorable for his
purpose.

"Now is our time," he whispered Virginia. "Will Salina come too?"

"What to do?" Salina asked.

"To explore the cave," said Penn, courteously, yet trembling lest the
invitation should be accepted.

She excused herself: she was feeling extremely fatigued; much to Penn's
relief--that is to say, regret, as he hypocritically gave her to
understand.

She smiled: though she had declined, Virginia was going, and she thought
he looked consoled.

"What does anybody care for me?" she said bitterly to herself.

It was to save her the pain of a slight that Penn, always too honest to
resort to dissimulation from selfish motives, had assumed towards her a
regard he did not feel. But the little artifice failed. She saw she was
not wanted, and was jealous--angry with him, with Virginia, with
herself. For thus it is with the discontented and envious. They cannot
endure to see others happy without them. They gladly make the most of a
slight, pressing it like a thistle to the breast, and embracing it all
the more fiercely as it pierces and wounds. But he who has humility and
love in his heart says consolingly at such times, "If they can be happy
without me, why, Heaven be thanked! If I am neglected, then I must draw
upon the infinite resources within myself. And if I am unloved, whose
fault is it but my own? I will cultivate that sweetness of soul, the
grace, and goodness, and affection, which shall compel love!"

Something like this Carl found occasion to say to himself; for if you
think he saw the master he loved, and her who was dear to him as ever
sister was to younger brother, depart with Cudjo and the torches,
without longing to go with them and share their pleasure, you know not
the heart of the boy. He was almost choking with tears as he saw the
torches go ou