Let  us  come  to  terms.  The  positive  has  its  place
only  in  science.  It  is  absolutely  true  that  borax
is  a  salt  composed  of  boracic  acid  and  soda.  Be-
yond such  facts  all  is  uncertain.  Does  this  happy
man  surmise  the  sentiments  he  has  inspired  ?  "

"  I  tell  you  that  you  do  not  know  him  ?  Do
you  take  him  for  a  coxcomb  ?  When  he  came
this  morning  to  announce  his  departure,  his  seri-
ous intention  was  to  bid  us  an  eternal  farewell,
and  never  to  see  me  again."

"A  most  excellent  idea  that,"  sighed  M.  Mo-
riaz.  "  Unfortunately,  you  represented  to  him
that  it  took  but  two  hours  to  go  from  Paris  to
Cormeilles."

"  I  had  trouble  to  persuade  him  of  it."
95


Samuel  Brohl  and  Company

"Well,  since  the  matter  stands  thus,  nothing
is  yet  lost.  You  know,  my  dear,  that  my  physi-
cian advised  me  to  beware  of  abrupt  transitions,
and  not  to  change  too  suddenly  from  the  keen  air
of  Engadine  to  the  heavy  atmosphere  of  the
plains.  On  leaving  Saint  Moritz,  we  will  descend
five  hundred  metres  lower,  and  remain  three
weeks  at  Churwalden  ;  consequently,  we  will  not
be  in  Paris  for  a  month.  You  will  employ  this
month  in  somewhat  calming  your  imagination.
