"Yes, yes. This misfortune is more easily repaired than mine," said Solomon. Then, drawing near to Hersilia and Angelique, he related his adventure, not without sighing and frequently shedding tears.

CHAPTER VII.

THE LOST WATCH.

SOLOMON spoke as follows:-"You know, perhaps, that upon going out this evening, I was not merely charged with Angelique's commission. I had to take to M. Phileas' watchmaker an elegant lady's watch, designed for his sister, and upon which he wished to have Madame Olympe's initials engraved. Oh, why did it enter his mind to have that ornament added! Oh, above all, why did he not confide it to Dominique's care, rather than to mine! I did not think of this when he gave it to me, wrapped up in cotton wool, in a little box; on the contrary, I was pleased that he considered me fit to take charge of so valuable an article, and hoped to prove to him that I was so. How little we know ourselves! Is it not wiser to distrust our own abilities? I have been reproached with being too timid; have I not been too bold in this instance? Should I not have laughed at any person who would have said to me on leaving, before night you will have lost that watch ?" "Oh, dear! is it lost?" exclaimed his sister and the servant at once.

“There is at least but little hope of my finding it again," replied Solomon, with grief. "You will judge of it soon. My first fault was in not going straight to the watchmaker's. Instead of which, entirely absorbed in Angelique's commissions, I began to think of the places where I had seen the finest florists, in order to have a better choice, and I resolved to cross the Boulevards from the Gate of St. Denis to the environs of La Madeleine, where the watchmaker lives. On my way I saw this beautiful dahlia, to which I thought the preference should be given. The florist was in her shop with a young man, whose dejected and miserable air, wretched clothes, and abashed countenance, at first inspired me with compassion. "For greater security, I had put the little box, containing the watch, in a corner of my handkerchief; and you will see it was just that which occasioned my losing it, for having already walked some distance, my first impulse on entering the shop was to wipe my forehead. I heard the woman sending the young man away with these words: Go home, my boy; if you were to wait here until to morrow, I could only say the same. A restless spirit never leads to anything, and your father ought not to have suffered your whims. He was a good gardener, why cannot you follow his trade? I have not a mine of gold to repair the follies of others. Fathers should know how to bring up their children. Go, get out of my way, that I may attend to this young customer.' Those harsh words pained me, and I felt still more hurt at them in seeing the young man humbly place himself by the door without answering her, casting towards heaven a look of despair. However little he merited my compassion, I said to myself, 'This unfortunate person is like me, the son of a gardener; but what a difference in our lot! What thanks have I not to render to God for all the blessings He has bestowed on me! Perhaps if He had not given me a protector at my birth, my parents, suddenly overwhelmed with so numerous a family, would also have come to poverty.''

"Spare us your humble reflections, brother," interrupted Angelique, spitefully.

"If, as I suppose, it is the same boy who has stolen the watch from you, it seems to me there is no necessity to compare him with your relations."

"Dear me, you have well guessed, sister; I admire your penetration," rejoined Solomon with surprise. "I have every reason to believe that the object of my compassion is a thief; and this is why: when we were examining the dahlia, and discussing the price, I carelessly placed my handkerchief on a little case of orange or lemon trees, I do not know which, and the purchase being made, after having given the address to the florist that she might send you the pot of flowers, I left without thinking to take up my handkerchief. Now the case was close to the young man. I went away much pleased, not having the least suspicion of my thought. lessness, until I found myself in front of the watchmaker's shop. I naturally felt for my handkerchief to take the watch from it; judge of my uneasiness in finding I had neither! I recollected at the same time where I had placed them, and, turning quickly on my heel, with rapid steps I reached the flower-shop. There was nothing on the case, and the young man was gone.

“‹ Ma'am,' I exclaimed on entering, 'did I not leave here a handkerchief?"

"If you left it, sir, it is here still.'

"I put it there, on that little case, and I do not see it now.'

"Then you were mistaken.'

"Oh! pardon me, ma'am, I am quite sure

"Do you mean to say that I am capable-'

"Of nothing wrong, ma'am ; but there was a valuable watch in it!'

"Had it been full of diamonds, as large as these lemons, let me tell you, sir, that I am an honest woman, and known as such throughout the neighbourhood.' "Pray do not be angry,' I replied, crying; 'I do not wish to offend any one; but think of my distress!'

"It is, indeed, a serious affair, my poor child, and I wish I could help you; but what can I do? To place such a thing at the mercy of the first passer-by, who had only to extend his arm to obtain possession of it-what imprudence! Did you notice any one near?'

"Excuse me, ina'am, a tall young man, very shabbily dressed, who was talking to you when I entered.'

"Who? Célestin! That is my nephew, my brother's son !'

"Your nephew, ma'am !'

"I cannot deny it, although the relationship is more trouble than profit.' "You do not suppose it could be he?' said I, hesitating.

"No, sir, there is no thief in my family,' she replied, tartly. Then, suddenly changing her manner, she added, 'Your question, however, is very natural, as you do not know us; but, stop, it is possible that my nephew, standing where he did, may remember having seen some suspicious-looking person roving about. Sometimes a trifle is sufficient to set the police upon the proper scent.'

"Ah, dear ma'am !' I exclaimed, 'you are quite right. I ought to neglect no means whatever. Where shall I find your nephew?'

"In a very poor lodging, I believe. His father has had misfortunes-to a great extent his own fault; we cannot ruin ourselves to re establish those who are improvident. But here is his address.'

"I saw she did not give it me without reluctance, but her honour was involved in the step; and, besides that, she was far from believing her nephew guilty. I was, therefore, once more on foot, seeking Jean Rigobert, Célestin's father, who lives at some distance in the Faubourg St. Antoine. Having, not without difficulty, reached the top story of an old house, I pushed a half-open door, and discovered three persons on their knees at prayers, in a room where there was nothing to be seen but three straw beds and the bare walls. The party consisted of a grey-headed old man, and two young girls. The latter wished to cease on seeing me he would not allow it, and they continued their prayer. The old man then rose, with the help of his daughters, and politely inquired the object of my visit.”

“Apparently that was not the man you wanted," interrupted Hersilia; "thieves do not often engage in prayer."

"I fear there was more hypocrisy than piety in the act," replied Solomon; "for the conclusion of the visit did not at all resemble the beginning, as you will see. Before learning what I wanted with him, Rigobert begged me to excuse his not having interrupted his devotions to greet me.

“Our obligations towards God should precede all others,' he continued; ' and He has this day bestowed such a blessing upon us that we could not, without sinning, defer expressing our gratitude to Him. Now, my child, explain yourself; what can I do for you?'

"In my confusion, I mentioned Madame Daran, the florist.

"She is my sister,' he replied, quickly, my good and worthy sister, whom may God crown with prosperity! She has just turned our sorrow into joy; but this does not interest you, my child; tell me, therefore, what she wants with me.'

"I was the more surprised to hear him speak thus since the little I knew of their intercourse with her did not lead me to expect it. However, without troubling myself about these contradictions, I explained to him as well as I could my un happy adventure, and what I hoped to learn from his son. He told me that Célestin had started on a journey.

"On a journey!' I exclaimed; 'so soon, that is incredible.'

"Why incredible?' replied Rigobert, piqued; each one surely has his own business, and my sister must know that this journey would admit of no delay.'

"I undertake to say that she has not the least knowledge of it,' I replied; 'as she herself suggested to me the idea of coming after your son.'

“And do you think he would have allowed any one quietly to take possession of an article in his aunt's shop, belonging to you or anybody else? the gardener asked me, frowning.

**I, sir? I know nothing about it. But as he was absolutely the only person who could have seen me deposit-'

"I stopped on seeing the flush of indignation, or anger, or fear, suffuse the face of that man, whose countenance frightened me.

"Well,' he proceeded; 'what do you mean? Would you dare to suspect my child of a theft? Wretch, know that we must not judge of people by their dress, and that a tattered garment as often covers a honest heart as the best new coat.' "I do not deny that.'

"What do you mean, then, by coming here with your story of the lost watch? Is

it not likely you have played some trick, and know better than any one else where to find that for which you pretend to inquire?'

"'I?'

"Yes, you! Do you suppose that a boy of your age inspires much confidence. However, if you persist in seeing my son, return to morrow, accompanied by those who have the care of you, and we shall see what the matter is.'

"There was so much temper depicted on his countenance and in his words, and I was also so hurt at the bad opinion he seemed to entertain of me, that I retreated precipitately, as from a place of danger. I was tempted to give Madame Daran an account of this interview, but in calling to mind how offended she was at a suspicion being cast upon her nephew's honesty, I resolved to return home, in order to confide the whole affair to Madame Olympe."

"That is the best thing you could do, my dear Solomon," said the servant. "Unfortunately she is not at home, nor M. Philéas, who, I fear, will return too late to have the matter laid before him to-day."

"I would not mention it to him for the world," exclaimed Solomon; "I would sooner go back to my father's house."

"Are you mad, my child? This loss is a misfortune, I allow, but M. Philéas loves you; he will forgive a thoughtless action, for which you are sorry."

"I must believe that he loves me, as he has been so good to me; and yet I tremble at the bare idea of his anger. Oh, if Madame Olympe were to return this evening!"

Solomon's wishes were not gratified, his expectation being disappointed, and fearing to be seen by M. Philéas by remaining up any longer, he retired to his room, the representations of Hersilia and Angelique having failed to inspire him

with courage. Solomon went to bed, but did not sleep. At one o'clock he heard his patron come in, whose room communicated with his own, and recognised, by the sound of his steps, that he was approaching him.

"I am undone," thought poor Solomon; "Hersilia has told him all, and he is coming, no doubt, to reprimand me."

He shut his eyes to make him believe he was asleep, and thus avoid an explanation which he so much dreaded.

“Well, Solomon,” said M. Philéas, in his usually quiet and stern manner, “ have you executed my commission ?"

"Sir! Ah, Sir! Is it you?" replied the child, pretending to rouse himself with difficulty.

"Shall I have the watch early to-morrow morning?" continned M. Philéas. "No-yes-I don't know."

"He is overcome with sleep," said M. Philéas to himself; "I shall elicit nothing from him to-night, and had better leave him in peace."

He returned to his room, to the great relief of his protégé, who, like all timid people, thought it a great point to have gained time.

CHAPTER VIII.

JEAN RIGOBERT.

THE loss of the watch, which caused Solomon such grief, occasioned troubles far more serious.

The old gardener, Jean Rigobert, to whom Solomon had paid such an unsatisfactory visit with regard to himself, was a man of the strictest probity. Notwithstanding the extreme poverty he was suffering at this time, he had, for a lengthened period, enjoyed comparative ease-his wife and himself living servants in the same house, he as gardener, she as cook. They had several children, of whom Célestin was the eldest. Death had decreased their number to three, which, however, was large enough in their present reduced circumstances.

This change had not been the effect of imprudence on their part. Events, which it is unnecessary to detail, deprived them of their situations, and obliged them to settle in a house of their own, just at the time when Rigobert's wife was attacked with disease of the chest, of which she died. He hired a garden in one of the faubourgs of the capital, but at too high a rent for the worth of the land, which required a great deal of manuring. The illness of his wife and a disastrous drought, followed by sudden frost, injured the fortune of Rigobert so much, that he was compelled to give up his ground, after having wasted all his savings upon it. His last resource was to seek daily employment. He was about being hired, when he was seized with rheumatism, which scarcely allowed him to stand. Célestin was then old enough to assist his father, but, being of a giddy and headstrong disposition, he had spent his youth in trying twenty different trades, of which he grew tired successively, so that he could hardly maintain himself. His two sisters, Marine and Louise, endeavoured, at the beginning of an apprenticeship, to support their father by needlework; a poor resource, only sufficient to procure, at most, bread and water. Unfortunately, Rigobert had contracted debts, which he hoped to