Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.


To walk among the stars through the parks and lanes of the open world was the greatest joy he had come to know more intimately than any human touch of pleasure and kindness, and with the bright warmth of the dawning summer to come, Gale had never thought he would be in such a pleasured peace as he was now walking with the coming night to sooth an infants upset evening.

Vianne did not sleep well when the time came and it was their routine now to walk among the gardens of the place they called home, but while in London awaiting the return of her older siblings they walked the stones of the streets until his arms were numb and she finally relented.

“What, my girl, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight; You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night,” He spoke gently to her his voice like a song as he quoted the poem, a favorite to the family who put forth their love of science beyond their love of magic. It was how he made sure they learned their English as he knew well they could not return to France. “I leave none but you, my pupil, unto whom my plans are known. You "have none but me," you murmur, and I "leave you quite alone”?”

The child laughed in his arms, rather awake despite the growing hour, and his playful tone upon the part where the Astronomer asks of his pupil of his reasonings, even in grief. Perhaps it was not the best sort of bedtime story, but to he it was a poem of being born again—and showing the love and affection one would have for a child.

“Well then, kiss me, – since my mother left her blessing on my brow,” The burst of butterfly kisses to the babe’s brow and fat apple cheeks had her break out in laughter that followed behind a small laugh as she wiggled in his arms.


There has been a something wanting in my nature until now;
I can dimly comprehend it, – that I might have been more kind,
Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.

I "have never failed in kindness"? No, we lived too high for strife,--
Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;
But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still
To the service of our science: you will further it? you will!

Some nights he left out the part of death, though wishing only to save them from the memory of their parents, and though he knew the truth of it all; to the children he fostered their parents were as dead to them as the last leaf fallen from the tallest oak.

But this was springtime in London, the rains washed away the sins and the city streets were full of new life.

There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,
To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;
And remember, "Patience, Patience," is the watchword of a sage,
Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.
[1]

1.	The Old Astronomer by Sarah Williams