glory of being the first to surpass Columbus, that I did not

realize the full meaning. I thought, also, you seemed rather

ready to leave me," she added gently, "and so said little; you do

not know how it almost breaks my heart now that I am about to

lose you. It was quixotic to let you undertake this journey."

"An undertaker would have given me his kind offices for one even

longer, had I remained here," replied Ayrault. "I cannot live in

this humdrum world without you. The most sustained excitement