22 THE FLOWERS

time seemed to have sunk in hopeless dark-
ness, though it has since arisen again, we
trust, to shine with superior splendour, and
with a purer light than in the period of its
former exaltation. It is my prayer, my
daily and hourly prayer, for my king and my
country, that the same light which has been
vouchsafed to me may be bestowed on them ;
and that as the Holy Scriptures are now, I
trust, my only rule of life and test of faith,
so also they may henceforward be the
strength and bulwark of the people and land
of my fathers.

But to return to my narrative. I must
confess that the character of Fanchon never
pleased me. She had none of the candour
and openness of temper so agreeable in
youth, and which I would rather see in its
excess than its deficiency, although that
excess may border on imprudence; for age
assuredly must add prudence to the charac-
ter, whereas it seldom deducts from a spirit
of cold and selfish caution.

The third among the pupils of Madame
Bulé, whom I must particularly describe,