qualities which might constitute a Sister of Mercy."
[He was a religious little man, in his way: the self-denying and self-sacrificing part of the Catholic religion commanded the homage of his soul.]
"I don't know, indeed: I took as good care of her as I could; but when her aunt came to fetch her away, it was a great relief."
"Ah! you are an egotist. There are women who have nursed hospitals-full of similar unfortunates. You could not do that?"
"Could Monsieur do it himself?"
"Women who are worthy the name ought infinitely to surpass our coarse, fallible, self-indulgent sex, in the power to perform such duties."
"I washed her, I kept her clean, I fed her, I tried to amuse her; but she made mouths at me instead of speaking."
"You think you did great things?"
"No; but as great as I could do."
"Then limited are your powers, for in tending one idiot, you fell sick."
"Not with that, monsieur; I had a nervous fever: my mind was ill."
"Vraiment! Vous valez peu de chose. You are
