142 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



The family affection grew. Audubon thus spoke to 

 Victor in reference to his wife in the days of failure, and 

 here we use his own words: 



" Your mother held in her arms your baby sister. She 

 felt the pangs of misfortune perhaps more heavily than I, 

 but never for an hour lost her courage; her brave and 

 cheerful spirit accepted all, and no reproaches from her 

 lips ever wounded my heart. 



" With her was I always not rich? " 



Audubon's heart lived more and more in the affection 

 of Victor, who amid all misfortune was the same to him. 

 He thus wrote to him in regard to his wife: 



" Should the Author of all things deprive me of my 

 life work for the comfort of the dear being who gave 

 you birth. Work for her, my son, as long as it may be 

 the pleasure of God to grant her life. Never neglect her 

 a moment; in a word, prove to her that you are truly 

 a son." * 



Victor Audubon needed not such an admonition. He 

 was a gentleman in himself, and he carried with him the 

 family heart. 



In his adversity Audubon never neglected the " gift 

 that was in him." 



He says — and what a picture this is! — 



" Among all these adverse circumstances I never for 



* Audubon's own words. 



