Things will go on all right, you'll see.
For my own part, I am delighted.

I had asked the Virgin to grant me her protection in my affairs--you know, my great invention of navigable balloons.

Well, suppose I told you that she has already shown me her favour?
Yes, indeed yesterday evening while I was talking with Abbe des Hermoises, he told me that at Toulouse he would no doubt be able to find a person to finance me--one of his friends, in fact, who is extremely wealthy and takes great interest in mechanics! And in this I at once saw the hand of God!" M.de Guersaint began laughing with his childish laugh, and then he added: "That Abbe des Hermoises is a charming man.

I shall see this afternoon if there is any means of my accompanying him on an excursion to the Cirque de Gavarnie at small cost." Pierre, who wished to pay everything, the hotel bill and all the rest, at once encouraged him in this idea.

"Of course," said he, "you ought not to miss this opportunity to visit the mountains, since you have so great a wish to do so.