for what can compare with this blessed evening hour? What comparison can
there be between the grandeur of our salon and the beauty of nature?"

Just then the nightingale broke the stillness with its ecstatic song.
The Duchess was surprised, and listened intently until the song was
ended.

"I wonder how this nightingale came to my garden. The oldest residents
cannot remember ever having heard one in this region."

"Dear mother," said Alfred, "you often wished that a nightingale would
lend its song and its presence to grace this beautiful spot. The same
boy who assisted us out of a difficulty recently, helped me gratify your
wish. You remember, dear mother, that you said at that time: 'I would
give twenty pounds to have a nightingale in my garden.' That boy has
helped us please you, and we have paid him half this amount out of our
savings. The boy is worthy of the money, and it may be the foundation of
his future success."

"You have acted nobly," said the Duchess. "I am transported with ecstasy
at hearing the nightingale sing for the first time in my garden, and
also at the love which you have shown for your mother. It moves me still
more, however, when I think that my children possess a heart big enough
to part with money intended for their own use, and voluntarily give it
up to afford help and joy to others. I, too, will reward the boy
generously. I wonder what use he would make of the money."

"We could not give the money to a more worthy person," said Alfred, who
then related to his mother the boy's aspirations. "Besides, I have
written to his teacher, and this is what he says about him: 'A greater