"Louis," said M. Delong, as he held out his hand to him, "your mother has told me much good of you; I know she thinks still more, and I am always disposed to think as she does." Louis, in stooping his head over his father's hand, half bent one knee in this first act of gratitude towards a parent whose approbation he so ardently desired. His eyes then met those of his mother. The necessity of restraining their feelings rendered them only the more intense. This was a moment which could never be forgotten.
M. Lebeau came in, and declared that as soon as the colonel could bear another removal, he must come and establish himself at his house in the country, and in the sequel of his speech he included in his invitation Madame Ballier, who graciously bowed her acquiescence. Madame Delong looked with astonishment at her son, who smiled, and Madame Ballier having quitted the apartment; "This wizard, Louis," he said to Madame Delong, "has absolutely forced me to be on good terms with his aunt;" then turning to M. Delong, he added—"Colonel, this son of yours will be a remarkable man; remember, I tell you so."
How happy was Madame Delong, and with what heartfelt pleasure did the eyes of Louis meet the delighted looks of his mother, which were constantly fixed upon him! Nor was their felicity momentary. Louis found no difficulty in acknowledging to her his faults, because he had repaired them. He confessed how greatly he had felt relieved since, instead of seeking out failings in his aunt, he had been engaged in considering her good qualities, and the respect he owed her of which he had been too forgetful; for children and young people are not sufficiently aware of the harm they do, when, even without talking to others, their thoughts are occupied in examining the defects of those to whom they owe respect, instead of going backward, like the children of Noah, to cover them with their mantle. Louis had learnt by experience, that when we look at things as they really are, it is almost always possible to find something good in persons of whom at first we were disposed to think only evil. He gradually attached himself to his aunt through his desire of pleasing her; and Madame Ballier, on her side, acquired so strong an affection for him, that she would not suffer any one to blame him or oppose him in her presence; and when he found her in dispute with Marianne or Barogo, he had only to interpose, and all was at an end. This new mode of proceeding has brought back peace into the domestic circle of Madame Delong, and Louis continually experiences the advantage of having acquired the power of self-control, which is the surest means of obtaining influence over others; for he who advances thoughtfully, observing carefully where he steps, instead of following his humour and heedlessly rushing into any mire that may obstruct his path, is sure to become at last the leader of his party.
When the Curé had concluded his story, he raised his head, took off his spectacles, and looking round at the children, said, "Well, now, which would you rather be,—Madame Ballier or Louis?"
"Oh! there is no great difficulty in deciding that question," replied Amadeus.
"You know, Monsieur le Curé," said Paul, "that everybody would like better to be an amiable person than one who is not so."
"I think," remarked Juliana, with her disdainful tone, "it was hardly worth while to ask such a question."
"Indeed," said the Curé; "for my part, I thought that there were persons to be met with occasionally, who would rather not be amiable."
Juliana shrugged her shoulders, and Amadeus burst into a loud laugh.
"Ah! that is Juliana," cried Paul, jumping about, and clapping his hands.