At Férouzat we have great news: the camels have been discovered! A

letter from Captain Picklock informed us of this. My uncle is quite

jubilant; and we have planned a trip to Marseilles to meet them. Another

piece of news is that my aunt has undertaken with Doctor Morand, without

appearing to have a hand in it, a great philanthropic work. I must tell

you that a few years ago the doctor discovered here a hot spring of

ferruginous water, the effects of which upon the few patients whom he

was able to induce to visit this hole, have been simply marvellous. What

is wanted now is to establish there some sort of hospital for

convalescents. My aunt at once decided that she, my uncle, and I should

find the funds for it. A hundred thousand francs are more than

sufficient for the modest foundation which we contemplate. But from

motives of delicacy, and in order to avoid any appearance of

ostentation, we arranged with the mayor and the vicar to open a

subscription, in order that the enterprise might appear to be supported

by public charity, and that all personal liberality should be concealed

by associating the whole district with it. The consequence was that

Férouzat has had a visit from the Prefect of the Department, accompanied

by several members of the General Council, and that, in addition to

this, my aunt has organised a committee of the leading inhabitants of

the neighbourhood. Of course I am her secretary, and I leave you to

guess whether her activity overworks me. I assure you my aunt has in her

the making of a statesman.

My dear friend, an incident of noteworthy importance, and of quite

exceptional gravity, has just thrown me into the greatest perturbation

of mind.

The other morning my aunt started upon a round of calls on behalf of her

great enterprise.

"André," she said to me, "come with me like a good nephew; I need your

help."

So off we started in the carriage, down the great drive of the château;

I thinking that we were going to the doctor's, or else to the

Camboulions. When we arrived at the gate, Bernard asked from his box for

his orders.

"To El-Nouzha," said my aunt.

"What!" I exclaimed, "to Mohammed-Azis?"

"Yes," she replied; "His Excellency's name will look very nice on our

list. It will be a sort of pledge of our excellent foreign relations."

"Have you forgotten? A Mahometan!"

"Certainly: an infidel's charity is quite as good in its effects as a

Christian's."




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