Little by little the first raptures subside and they can peacefully enjoy the delights of their new condition.  Happy lovers, worthy husband and wife!  To do honour to their virtues, to paint their felicity, would require the history of their lives.  How often does my heart throb with rapture when I behold in them the crown of my life’s work!  How often do I take their hands in mine blessing God with all my heart!  How often do I kiss their clasped hands!  How often do their tears of joy fall upon mine!  They are touched by my joy and they share my raptures.  Their worthy parents see their own youth renewed in that of their children; they begin to live, as it were, afresh in them; or rather they perceive, for the first time, the true value of life; they curse their former wealth, which prevented them from enjoying so delightful a lot when they were young.  If there is such a thing as happiness upon earth, you must seek it in our abode.

One morning a few months later Emile enters my room and embraces me, saying, “My master, congratulate your son; he hopes soon to have the honour of being a father.  What a responsibility will be ours, how much we shall need you!  Yet God forbid that I should let you educate the son as you educated the father.  God forbid that so sweet and holy a task should be fulfilled by any but myself, even though I should make as good a choice for my child as was made for me!  But continue to be the teacher of the young teachers.  Advise and control us; we shall be easily led; as long as I live I shall need you.  I need you more than ever now that I am taking up the duties of manhood.  You have done your own duty; teach me to follow your example, while you enjoy your well-earned leisure.”

THE END