crept towards the garden, screened behind out-buildings. When we
reached the fence, we looked through towards the white pyramids. All
that part of the ground was alive with rabbits. Georgiana had spread
for them a banquet of Lucullus, a Belshazzar's feast. It had been done
to please me, I knew, and out of a certain playfulness of her own; out
there are other charities of hers, which she thinks known only to
herself, that show as well the divine drift of her thoughtfulness.

She is asleep now--for the sake of the Secret. After she had gone to
bed, what with the spectacle of the rabbits and what with our talk
beforehand of the many cardinals in the cedars, my thoughts began to
run freshly on old subjects, and, unlocking my bureau, I got out my
notes and drawings for the work on Kentucky birds. Georgiana does not
know that they exist; she never shall. With what authority those
studies call me still, as with a trumpet from the skies! and I know
that trumpet will sound on till my ears are past hearing. Sometimes I
look upon myself as a man who has had two hearts; one lies buried in
the woods, and the other sits at the fireside thinking of it. But
sleep on, Georgiana--mother that is to be. The dreams of your life
shall never be disturbed by the old dreams of mine.




VI

The population of this town on yesterday was seven thousand nine
hundred and twenty; today it is seven thousand, nine hundred and
twenty-_one_. The inhabitants of the globe are enriched by the same
stupendous unit; the solar system must adjust itself to new laws of