The Strand Magazine, Vol. 1 - No. 1,

there lies a solitary little village called Treppi. The paths that lead up to it are not fit for driv

strian anxious to avoid the highroad, and at night the smugglers with their pack-mules, who, better than anyon

ne huts, which, during the day, were taken care of by the oldest women and the youngest children only. The shepherds with their families lay sleeping round the hearths where the great kettles were swinging; the dogs had stretched themselves amongst the ashes; one sleepless old grandmother still sat upon a heap of skins, mechanically moving to and fro her spindle, and muttering a prayer or

BED HIS NOSE

arious sheds, extra rooms, stables, and a well-built brick oven. A group of well-laden horses stood before the door; one of the farm servants was just removing the empty mangers, while six or seven armed men emerged from the house into the fog an

dog gently rubbed his nose in her hand, she turned round as though startled out of some dream. "Fuoco," she said, "poor fellow, go to bed, y

on sat down and joined the others. Not a word was spoken whilst they were eating; the flames crackled, the dog growled hoarsely in his sleep, the grave and solemn girl sitting on the stone slab by the hearth left untouched the little di

etro!" called out the young mistress of the house in quiet but admonishing tones.

d with a brief greeting. Pietro went up to the girl who was gazing at the fire without showing the slightest interest. "These are two men f

e old maid-servant got up a

" continued the man, "can the gentleman have a bed for th

him in the chamber." Pietro no

rabandists, well armed, their jackets thrown carelessly across their shoulders, and hats pushed well down over their brows. They nodded to the othe

orner, the hens sleeping beside it on their perches, then at the heads of maize hanging on a string from the ceiling, at a shelf with bottles, and jars, and skins, and baskets, all heaped up together. At last his eyes were attracted by the girl at the hearth. Her dark profile stood out clear and beautiful

n the house, Padrona

right on the hearth, leaning with both arms on the slab. At the same moment the dog woke up out of his sle

en when the dog, in quite inexplicable fury, rushed at him, barking loudly, seized his cloak with his teeth, a

aid the girl in an undertone. She still stood petrified by the hearth, and repeated her order, seeing Pietro hesitate. For many years the old dog's nightly resting place had been

WINE IN THE HO

panions, and meditated in silence on the very extraordinary scene he had unconsciously been the cause of. One after another the men l

e stranger. "Your Excellency need not rise any earlier-we shall reach Pistoja in

my friends

aken your

he Madonna knows I do not often sleep six hours at a st

tfully, and got up. One of them

Costanzo of Bologna; he wants to know if

ered shortly a

have sent it back to him if it

how them the way to their room,

light blinking of the eyes, "that the gentleman there would not grudge the money if you give him a softer bed than

hemselves and left the room with the maid. "Good night, Nina!" called out the girl. The old woman tur

o light up quite a small portion of the large room. It seemed as though the darkness had made the stranger sleepy, for he sat at the table with his head bowed on his arms, his cloak well wrapped round him, as if he inten

aid, "do you not

ng silky eyelashes as they rose and fell softened the severity of the forehead and delicately-cut nose. The mouth was rosy-red in freshest youth; save only when silent there was a touch of mingled grief, resignation, and fierceness

not know yo

"You have had time these seven years to keep me in your memory. It

nge words seemed fully to rous

years has nothing else to do but think of one fair g

it; that is just what you used to say

d merry youth seven years ago. A

should I not believe it? My own exp

ender speeches of a man were worth about as much as counters in a game, which certainly can be exchanged for true gold, if expressly sealed and arranged so. How much

and it all, and was quietly waiting till he s

ight possibly have recognised the village and this house, if it had not been for the fog. Yes, indeed, it was certainly seven

knew well you could not have forgotten it. Why, Fuoco, the dog, has not forg

and so cheerfully, that he looked

he Apennines, and she took me home to her parents' house. Otherwise, I should have

nterrupted,

to unseal her lovely sullen little mouth-I can see her before me now-how she darted to one side and picked up a stone in eac

n. Only that he is no longer here to look after it all-may his soul rest in Paradise! But I felt most ashamed before my mother. Do you remember how you sat just at that very place and praised the wine that we had got from Pistoja? I heard no more. Mother looked at me sharply, and I went outside and hid myself by the window, that I m

ES ABUS

not come back to the house, and I got up and went to look for you outside. I saw the white kerchief on your head and then nothing more, for you fled into the r

killed you on purpose that I might never see you again. I ran right away, just as I was, up and down the mountains, sometimes calling aloud for you and sometimes abusing you, for I knew I could never love anyone again, and all through you. At last I descended to the plain; th

m were fastened on the other. Then Filippo sa

same week-may their souls rest in

Flor

an Miniato. I lived there for a month, and used to send her into the town every day to ask for you. In the evening I went

but she showed no signs of such emotion as he in his restlessness evinced. At last he approached, a

ld never have caused me such grief. I knew you would come again, Filippo, but I did not think you would have waited so long; that grieved me. But it is

rbed he was as he stood thus before her, gazing above her head at the wall beyond. She went on talking quite calmly; it was as though her own wor

THE ROOM WITH

s just as if they all knew that you were soon to come again." Then continuing: "And now, whither will you take me? Will you stay up here? But no, that would never do for you. Since I have been to Florence I know that it is dull up in the mountains. We will sell the house and the flocks, and then I shall be rich. I have had enough of this wild life with the peop

I already h

e, Filippo! You have no wife. The gipsy told me th

wife. But how could she or you tel

to take me?" asked she i

tell you. Give me your hand. Promise me that yo

ect before her with his eyes fixed on her sadly, while hers, as though apprehending da

na is in an unsettled state, too, latterly. Men of high position have been arrested, and amongst them one whose life and habits have long been known to me, and of whom I knew that all such things were foreign to his mind. My friend asked me to undertake his case, and I helped him to liberty. Hardly was this made public, when one day a wretched individual accosted me in the street, and loaded me with insults. He was drunk and unworthy of notice; but I could not get rid of him otherwise than by giving him a blow on the chest. No sooner had I made my way out of the crowd and entered a café, when I was followed by a relative of his, not drunk with wine, but mad with rage and indignation. He accused me of having retaliated with a blow instead of acting as every man of honour would have done. I answered him as moderately as I could, for I saw through the whole thing; it was all arranged by the Government in order to render me powerless. But

sinners!" interrupted the g

at Porretta. They tell me we shall reach Pistoja to-morrow morning ear

rs. "Do not go down there, Filippo

ill, my child. Bu

and she pointed with her fi

the whole of Tuscany. They have done me the honour of confronting me with a goodly enemy. Well, I shall not disgrace myself. But who knows whethe

not leave this world without first setting you free, free from yourself, poor child, and your unlucky constancy. Perhaps, too, you know, we should have suited each other badly. You

d have taken her hand, but was startled and shocked to see the expression of her

riously. "You do not love me, no, no!" she exclaimed, like one beside herself. "Would you rather go to the arms of death than come to me? Can you meet me like this after seven years, only to say farewell? Can you speak thus calmly of your death, knowing it will be mine too? Better had it been for me

anion listened to the barking of the dog, and with it the mutterings and groanings of the unhappy girl, while the moon increasing in power shone t

. Filippo, I do not know what wicked words I may have spoken, but I feel they were wicked; I knew it by the cold chill they sent to my heart. Forgive me. It is a thought fit only for hell, that love can be forgotten, and faithful constancy crushed and destroyed. But now let us sit down and discuss everything. Would you like a new house? We will b

hey do not kill me to-morrow, it will only be put off a short time. I know how much

vely children, and will feel thankful that he who is dead and gone was more sensible than you at this interview, although on that night of seven years ago, it may have been otherwise. Let me go to bed now, and go you too, and let

not already suffered enough," she said in an undertone, "for having acted too coyly that one night seven long years ago? And now he would again make me miserable with this wretc

ing yourself ill? If you do not feel that my honour forces me to leave you, then you would never have suited me. I am no doll in your lap to fondle and

f death were to come and stand between us, I would rescue you from him w

a man, and whoever would have me I must give myself up to freely. You have sighed for me for seven years-have you any right therefore in the eighth year to make me act to my dishonour? If you would bribe me, you have chosen the means ill. Seven years ago I loved you because you were differ

ring silently that she took it much more quietly than he had expected. He would gladly now, with friendly words, have appeased any stormy outbreak of her grief. Bu

THE DOOR

table, and the moaning of the wind outside as it scattered the last remains of the fog. For the moon in all its splendour had risen, and when he pulled away a large bundle of heather out of the hole in the wall that served as a window, the room was lit up by its rays.

y thing left for me to do," he said to himself, "unless I would add to my guilt. Seven years, poor child!" Mechanically he took in his hand a comb ornamented with little pieces of metal that was lying on the table. This recalled to him her splendid hair, the proud neck on which it lay, the

herwise the ground was covered with heather only, and here and there a miserable bush. "Certainly," thought he, "this is not the place to forget what one has loved. I would it were otherwise. In truth, she would have been the right wife for me; she would have loved me more than dress and gaiety, and the whisperings of gallants. What eyes my old Marco would make if I suddenly came back from my travels with

thought flashed across his mind that she would do herself some injury. Without stopping to think, he flew to the door and pulled violently at the bolt. But the rusty old iron had stuck so obstinately fast in its place that he spent all his strength in vain. The cold sweat stood on his brow; he shouted and shook and beat the door with fists and feet, but it did not yield. At last he gave up, and rushed back again to the

EVER DRINK OUT

he opening, but could see nothing save the still night in the mountains. Suddenly there was a short, sharp howl, then a low convulsive groan from the dog, but after that, though he listened long and anxiously, not another sound the whole night through, save th

hour after midnight, and fatigue conquered his thousand fleeting thoughts. But still in his uneasy slumber he seemed to

soon saw that the hole in the wall which he had left open before he fell asleep, had, nevertheless, been filled up again with branches. He pushed them out, and was dazzled by the bright rays of the morning sun. In a towering rage

xpecting him. Every trace of the stormy scenes of the day before had left her face; no

e said, angrily, "my sl

tired. You will reach Pistoja early enough, if you do

Do you still mean to force yourself on me? It w

on

? As if they would go away before I paid them!" An

told them that you needed sleep, and also that I would accompany you down the mountain myself; f

n still entangle me in your smooth meshes. We are now more completely parted than ever. I despise you, that you should think me soft and weak enough

he said, "you will not find any of the men; they are all in the mountains. And there is nobody in Treppi who can be of use to y

liking for you, and it would be a pleasure to me to have a few more hours' talk with you. But I do not, on that account, wish to intrude. You are free to go from me for ever, and wherever you will, to death or to life. Only I have so arranged it that I may walk beside you part of the way. I swear to you, if it will e

n her large eyes, that he could take it for granted there was no treachery hidden in her words. She really seemed to him to be a different person from the day before; and there was almost a feeling of discontent mingled wi

ce you have become so very

e. But he, to get it over, ate some spoonfuls, dashed down the wine, and lit his cigar from the ashes on the hearth. All this time he had not deigned to look at her, but when he chanced to look up, standing near her, he saw a strange red in h

oned me?" but then he chose to think that it was the last remains of her lovesick idolat

, as he seemed to be searching for it. "You would not have been able to r

as still no sign of vegetation, far or near, except the hard and stunted mountain plants and interwoven bush and bramble. But then they left the summit, and descended into the ravine, which had to be crossed in order to climb the rocky ridge on the other side. Here they soon came upon fir-trees, and streams, which flowed into the glen; and far below them they heard the roaring of the water. Fenice now went on in front, stepping with sure feet upon the safest stones, without looking round, or uttering a single word. He could not help letting his eyes rest on her, and admi

ly that her voice, which as a rule was not so dull and harsh as is the case with the generality of the wome

WENT ON BE

zards darting over the stones, and the fluttering butterflies chasing the sun's rays, that he never even noticed that they walked on towards the stream, and had not as yet turned off to the left. There was a magic in the voice of his companion which made him forget everything which, the day before, had so occupied him in the society of the contrabandists. But when th

AY, YOU TREACH

you are still deceiving me. Is this the

earlessly, but w

the fiends might learn deceit fro

e is more powerful than devil or ang

what a mad wench calls love. Turn back with me at once, and show me the shortest paths-or I will strangle you, with t

clenched fists, besid

by day will burn you; the dew at night will drench you; till you fall and die beside me-for you can never more tear yourself away from me. Do you think that the poor, silly thing, brought up in her mountain home, would throw away seven years like one day? I know what they have cost me, how dear they were, and th

on will do you a bad turn, for I never hated you more than at this moment. But I am a fool to take the trouble to hate a fool like you. May you be cured of all your folly as of your love when you no longer see me

n the shadow of a rock by the ravine, burying her great eyes i

conti

nimals'

FAMILY

domesticated animals-an abiding-place where horse and dog, calf and sheep, even down to the maligned and sorely-tried drawer of the costermonger's cart might receive assistance and a

regarding the ills of most animals in general, and of horseflesh in particular. He knew little, and kept that meagre knowledge to himself, regarding us with suspicion, probably

inated. Whoa! Whoa! 'Er', 'pon my word, 'Arry, if I didn't forget to give Betsy"-a frisky-l

l love of fun and irrepressible spirits. For a charge of sixty guineas these young men may revel in the anatomy of a horse for a period of three years, walk the straw-carpeted floor of the sick stable, pay periodical visits, and learn how to prescribe the necessary remedies for the inmates of the dogs' ward. The secretary, Mr. R. A. N. Powys, assures us that three hundred students are at present located here, and, together with the educational staff, numbering, a

OF SWALLOWIN

rown as a new chestnut, and his limbs and quarters as they should be, is led out by a stalwart groom. For all the animal's 16-1/2 hands, there is a question as to his soundness. A professor hurries up, followed by a score of students

studied, is a happy family-in the bone. They are gathered together in unison around the bust of the late Professor Robertson. The "ship of the desert" has on its left an elephant of formidable size, near which stands an ostrich. On the camel's right is a cow, and a lion

three times a week, and gain a practical knowledge

and every animal. In one of the cases is a very interesting specimen of the students' work. It illustrates the anatomy of a dog's leg. The bone

ne which requires no nails. The nearest approach to this is a shoe which clamps the hoof, is screwed up tightly, and the whole thing kept in place by an iron band

t is hollow and a funnel is attached to it, to be inserted in the animal's mouth and the mixtur

OL

id's knee." This curious growth is five feet in circumference and a foot and a half in depth. But perhaps the most remarkable corner is

awing-in miniature-of a huge stone formed inside a cow. The cow-by no means a careful one-enjoyed the green grass of the meadow in blissful ignorance that even tin-tacks and nails get lodged on the sward occasionall

OE

f might and muscle to use them with effect. The tracheotomy tubes-inserted when a horse has difficulty in breathing-stand out brightly from amongst the dull and heavy appearance of the firing irons, which are employed in lameness, as a blister on t

e size, or pound them in one as big as a copper with a pestle as long as a barber's pole. A great slate is covered with veterinary hieroglyphics; the shelves are decorated with hundreds of blue bottles, the drawers brimming over with tiny phials and enormous gallipot

f a square stable, heated by a furnace at the back. Not an outlet is permitted for the escape of the hot air, and it can be heated to any temperature required. The horse, too, can enjoy all the luxuriousness of a sh

ment to the prancing of a dozen fine creatures just entering to be shod. The whistling of the bellows, and the hissing of

w shoes which adorn the walls-and, if numbers count for anything, good luck should pervade every nook and corner of the forge-a five-inch shoe

rs through which the doctor can inspect his patient. The inmate's card, which tells its sex and colour, date of entrance, number, disease, and treatment prescribed, is affixed to the door,

untry, and who has dislocated her shoulder. Polly might be held up as a credit to any hospital. She bore her bandaging-not always a painless o

ts: for the horror of "hospital" which pervades most people's minds exists in the imaginations of animals as well. Therefore the sick Polly must needs submit to having her eyes bandaged t

hbour, however, presents

AV

fest spots in the line of route. Poor Joe! His careful line of action and method of travelling did not meet with that reward to which it was entitled. Alas! he now rests here as a warning to his fellow-horses not to put trust in the treacherous smoothness

a passing doctor. And a very ingenious arrangemen

valent to that provided by a good bed to a weary man. The animal is so weak that, if he tumbled down, it is doubtful whether he would get up again. Here

d fitted with little pads in front in order not to cut the leg. All these surgical appliances ar

ded for diseases of the respiratory or digestive organs, or of the skin. But the bill for food, hay and straw, amounted to the comfortable sum of ￡1,510 0s. 8d. last year, against the modest outlay of ￡166 11s. 5d. which was spent in dru

the hospital to obtain a good view of the proceedings. Only a moment also to peep in at a little apartment in the far corner-a small operating room fitted up with a trevis, a wooden structure where the animal to be operated upon is placed, and strappe

NURS

upon whose head rested the figure of ￡1,200. Most of them are suffering from skin disease; but here is a pup, with a coat of impenetrable blackness, afflicted with St. Vitus's dance. He wears a pitiful expression; but, save for an occasional twitter of a muscle, rests very quietly. Every cage is occupie

corner, near the bath, the very per

word of sympathy. He is a credit to his breed, and his noble disposition would lead him to forget what brought him there. It is a touching story. His owner's little daughter was his mistress; David followed her wherever she went, and-save at night time-never allowed her out of his sight, and even then he would nestle outside her door on the mat, until the child woke in the morning. Just a week ago the little girl had wandered d

the far end for the reception of th

royal toes. Above is a terrier-beautifully marked-but, withal, wearing a remarkably long expression of countenance. Something is wrong with one of his ears, and his face is tied up like that of an individual writhing beneath the tortures of toothache. "Dot" envies his brother terrier next do

CTING

very ugly swollen face. But here, in a corner all to itself

e green-eyed monster within the breast of a mare who sometimes shared her meadow. Whether the cause was jealousy or not, one thing is certain-after a particularly hearty meal, which seems to have endowed the mare with exception

US

neck and attached to the main strap with leather bands. Finally, the iron-bound timber

table for dissection. The enterprising students repair to Islington Cattle Market, and for a pound or thirty shillings purchase a likely subject from an obliging costermon

Corner," a portion of the yard set apart for out-patients, a

fit." The cabby who is the proud possessor of a four-wheeler and an ancient-looking steed comes with a face which tells another tale than that which betokens a small fare. The coster thrus

I couldn't help but bring it along. I'm a rough 'un, but I've got a 'art, and, there, I couldn't stan

suspense, for his donkey wi

d it need medicine, or call for an operation, this is readily done, the studen

olds the bridle of the first horse for examination as the students gather round. One of th

'ardly w

me,

ec's s

are

etables ab

n. Then the professor turns to a student and a

g diagnosed the case correctly, the animal is wa

lse is taken. A lad, evidently not used to the stubborn disposition and immovable spirit of donkeys in general, has brought his own, which he informs the professor he only purchased "

w he knew where I was a takin' 'im, for he crawled more'n ever.

the inviting cries of forty or fifty students to "go on," and bravely stoo

-was owned by a laundryman, a widower, who had eleven children to support, the oldest of whom was only fifteen years

rother "vet." that something out of the common was the matter with his horse. In response to the doctor's beckoning, he appro

ssor shoo

ceased their chatter, and, save for the movement of a horse's foot upon the uneven stones, the ya

MAN'S

head in response to his master's caresses, and the cry which came from the man'

Mi

rench of L

man of letters. As soon as he obtained his liberty, he began to write for newspapers and magazines; and from that time until his death in 1875 he lived a busy but uneventful life, as one of the most popular of authors. He was one of the chief founders of the Petit Journal, which, owing largely t

TER

altering in the darkness? Are you not afraid of the sadness of my letters, written as

ything around me became as black as night! In vain, dear friend, do I endeavour to recall the wonders of nature. I have forgotten all her hues. I smell the scent of the rose, I guess its shape by the touch; but its boasted colour, to which all beautiful women are compared, I have forgotten-or, rather, I cannot d

t would I have given to be able to regard myself!-to know if I was nice!-if my skin is as white as it is soft, and if I have pretty eyes under my long lashes!-Ah! they often told us at school

nothing about it. No, they are rich. I am supplied with every luxury. Everywhere that my hand rests it touches silk and velvet, flowers and precious

back from that aristocratic England, and

TER

ou will laugh as if you had gone crazy. You will believe th

nate as the lover of a duchess. After this, what is to be said? Love, who i

do here. All I can tell you is that he sat on my left at dinner the o

I said, "that I have had t

ered, "but I kn

d, "since you know how to e

le," he continued, softly,

ghtlessly, "then whom

" sai

at do y

I love

ou lov

y! Ma

d pulled my scarf over my sh

ly abrupt in you

in my regards, my gest

blind. A blind girl is

your eyes are closed to the light? Is not your figure charming, your foot as tiny as a fairy's, your step superb,

re, a fairy foot, a snowy skin, a complexion like a rose, and fair and silky hair. Oh, Ana?s, dear Ana?s, to other girls such a

m I really as pre

far from t

would you

ou to be

aloud at

have to put my orange blossoms on by groping! No! no! my parents are rich: a single life has no terrors for me; sing

e: he has taught me that I am nice! I don't know how it is

TER

expected things befall us in this life! As I tell you what ha

n the garden, leaning on my mother's arm, when she was suddenly and loudly called for. It s

her?" I asked her, troub

, no doubt. In our position

"I will not keep you any longer. Go a

ead. Then I heard her footsteps on the

D VOI

w, Ana?s, when God deprives us of one of our faculties, he seems, in order to console us, to make the others keener: the blind man has his hearing s

ow sad! The bro

She never guesses that they take advantag

do you

gany has lost its lustre. At table she enjoys the most delicious dishes without dreaming, in her innocence, that the domestic mise

y have made me live in luxury amidst my darkness-and me alone. Oh! marvellous devotion.

TER

rwhelmed to learn that all her trouble to conceal her poverty from me has been useless. I still

e to see me-and may Heaven forgive me!-I

you still the sam

you are beautiful with the noblest

my fi

e and gracef

d my fo

h as the ivory wh

And I bega

kes you

y mirror. I see myself

ld that it migh

ou agree

ues. Consent to be my wife. I have some fortune; you shall want f

oor parents, whom my marriage wo

wered, "your self-love, as a man,

ed, "I owe you

n," I

rown my misfortune, a scourge, nowadays made powerless by the art of vaccination, has mercilessly sca

ut my ha

good and true. Take me, then, such as I am. Nothing, at any rate, will turn

a?s, but I am going to my parents' rescue. Perh

TER

s, for the compliments and congratula

e nothing to desire; idolised by my husband, and adored by my parents, who hav

omp. Thanks to it, I knew that my veil was nicely made, and that my wreath of ora

t by its taste and its soft touch. Sometimes we go to the theatre, and there, too, he reproduces, by his wit, all that my closed eyes cann

ear Ana?s, rejoic

TER

I have borne without a murmur not to look upon the blue of heaven, the glamour of the flowers, the features of my husband, of my parents, of those who love me; but it seems that I cannot bear with resignation not to see m

rub has fair curly hair, great wayward eyes, and a vermilion smile. What good is

TER

past year without my knowing it. He wishes to restore the light to me, and the doctor i

said to me yesterday, "

t pos

xt that they would beautify the skin, were really prepar

oper

cure of c

your han

e sure, for my hear

m, "you are not a man, you

re, dearest. Let me enjoy these

you mea

help of God, you wi

the

e as I am-small, ins

ash shot through my darkness: it was my i

, if you think that, whatever your face may be, I am not your

othing, but p

her told me, might be

a had told me that he was marked by small-pox; papa maintains that hi

ntellectual power: so said Lavater. But to be old-that is a pity. And then, if, unfortunate

you will admit that I am rather in the interesting situation of "The Beauty and the Beast," without having the resource of the transfo

LET

ou have read the beginning. Take your share of my griefs, my

en I seemed to see day, light, colour, sun. Then instantaneously a bandage was replaced upon my burning forehead. I

e is no danger in my rashness now. They had brought me my little one to kiss. Nicette was holding her i

she is!" I cried out. "I

OH, HOW LOV

o longer lonely in the darkness. This cherub face, re

had on a beautiful silk dress, a lace collar, my hair dressed à la Ma

ff the

m, I thought that I had never seen anything so beautiful.

id my father, "ever

I cried out, "wh

ing," said

ness, his attire, his thin

"let him come to me. He is

"admire yourself; look in the glass. You may admire yourself fo

ass. I uttered a cry of joy. With my slender figure, my complexion like a rose, my eyes a little dazed, and like two shimmering sapphires, I was charming. Nevertheless,

e glass to see wha

figure, whose coat was adorned by the rosette of the Legion of Honour. I

G MAN C

without taking any notice of him, "

a!" I

nd she pulled my sleeves above the

"what are you thinking

er? it is

is young gentleman who was behi

er, "you need not be so ba

t, and made a step f

at made my heart beat now was a new love, swollen by the generosity of this truly noble man

amma put me in his arms, a

," said my husband

answered, looki

nd see! my colleague, here, whom you have just consulted

Notes of a Sermon

of July, 1890, in the chapel of the Sisters of Charity, Carlisle Place, Westminster. The fac-simile shows the Cardinal's handwriting at the age of 83, and also

een of

the Russian of A

-in his crisp black hair, his irregular though mobile features, and his swarthy skin. At school he hated work-his sums always made him cry-and he was the ringleader in every prank. When scarcely yet of age he wrote an "Ode to Liberty," for which he was condemned to exile in Bessarabia. There for some years he continued to pour forth the lofty, fiery, and romantic poems which have caused him to be termed the Byron of the North. Besides his poems Pushkin also wrote a striking volume of prose stories, from which "The Queen of Spades" is taken. When Nicholas was crowned he was re

Spades deno

Fortune

o'clock in the morning when supper was served. The winners sat down to table with an excellent appetite; the losers let their plates remain

vening, Surin?" said the h

mirandole. You know that I keep cool. Nothing moves

ing you did not once back the red? Yo

oung Engineer officer. "That fellow never made a bet or touched a card

ut I am not disposed to risk the ne

whole of the secret," cried Tomski. "But what is r

asked seve

ed," said Tomski, "t

ighty, who never touches a card; tha

not kn

ere a reas

Duke of Orleans, a very considerable sum. When she got home, my grandmother removed her beauty-spots, took off her hoops, and in this tragic costume went to my grandfather, told him of her misfortune, and asked him for the money she had to pay. My grandfather, now no more, was, so to say, his wife's steward. He feared her like fire; but the sum she named made him leap into the air. He flew into

to arguments and explanations. In vain did she try to prove to her husband that there wer

h a man who was very celebrated at this time. You have heard of the Count of St. Germain, about whom so many marvellous stories were t

the mystery of his life, St. Germain was much sought after in good society, and was really an agreeable man. Even to this day m

old magician came at once, and found her plunged in the deepest despair. In two or three words she told him everything; related to

AGICIAN CA

am sure that you would have no rest until you had repaid me, and I do not want to get you out of one trouble in o

my grandmother, 'I have already t

swered St. Germain. 'Listen

ret which any of you would, I am s

on. Tomski stopped to light his Turkish pipe,

her invented a little story by way of excuse for not having paid her debt, and then sat down at the table, and began to stake. Sh

ORE HER LOO

aid one of the

ale!" cri

rds marked?"

so," replied

have a grandmother who knows the names of three winnin

d gamblers, and not one of them was able to extract her secret from her, though it would have been of immense advantage t

ung men, made an exception-I do not know why-in favour of Tchaplitzki. She gave him three cards, telling him to play them one after the other, and exacting from him at the same time his word of honour that he would never afterwards touch a card

lock! It is really

his glass and t