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."