OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 85

father was an old officer, revered for his virtues and his
merit, but unblessed with fortune’s gifts, if such gifts de-
serve that name. His anxious desire was that his son
should imitate his own and the example of his ancestors,
by consecrating the most valuable years of his life to the
service of his king and his country.

Brave and intrepid, the youth fulfilled his parent’s wish ;
but the voice of nature could not be stifled—the harassing
thought that death might strike his father before his re-
turn could soothe his declining years was continually pre-
sent to him. Before the engagement with the British
vessels he had taken young D’Estaing aside, and in the
most moving tone addressed him thus: “ You have shown
so much regard and affection for me, that Iam encouraged
to beg of you a great favour. Ourenemy is close at hand—
the signal for action has been given—I expect to do my
duty. If I fall, before my corpse is thrown to the waves
take off from this finger, I entreat you, the ring that is
now upon it: it once belongedto my mother. When you
return to France, send it to my poor old father, and tell
him that his son’s last request was for his blessing.”

This ring was yet encircling that same finger. The
count, touched to his very soul, religiously unloosed it, and
fastened it to his bosom. When he had deposited the body