"No, never; that is to say, by the help of any instrument so gigantic as this."
William Herschel tossed back his then abundant hair, and said:
"Gigantic!—nay, sir; the giant is to come. This is the pigmy, but now stand here, and I will adjust the lens to your sight—so! Do you see?"
"Wonderful!" was the exclamation after a minute's silence. "Wonderful! May I, sir, introduce myself as Dr. Watson, and may I follow up this acquaintance by a call to-morrow?"
"You will do me great honour, sir; and if you care for music, be with us to-morrow at three o'clock, when my sister there will discourse some real melody, if so it should please you. Is it not so, Caroline?"
"There will be more attractive music than mine, brother," Miss Herschel said.
"I doubt it, if, as I hear," said Dr. Watson, with a low bow, "the musical world finds in Miss Herschel a worthy successor to the fair Linley, who has made Sheridan happy—maybe happier than he deserves!"
Caroline Herschel bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment, and said:
"Miss Farinelli carries the palm, sir. Now, brother, shall we return to the top of the house?"
She was almost numb with cold, but she made no complaint; and when the telescope with all the instruments had been conveyed to the top story, she patiently stood far into the night, while her brother swept the heavens, and took notes of all he said, as his keen glances searched the star depths, and every now and then exchanged an expression of wonder and delight with his faithful friend, and the sharer of all his toils and all his joys.