CHAPTEE XI 



A NOBLE WIFE 



ONE day Audubon came home in great excitement. 



" I have lost my property again," he said; " all has 

 gone. I am as a beggar! " 



" ~No all has not gone," said his serene and beautiful 

 wife; " you have me left, and the boys." 



" I took you from luxury. What can you do for me 

 now?" 



"Work! I can teach." 



" But my boys, my dear boys? " 



" I can educate them." 



" It was in no desire for glory," said he, and here we 

 use his exact words in a like episode, " which led me into 

 this exile. I wished only to enjoy nature." 



" Go on with your studies," said his wife; " though the 

 world turn against you, we will be true. You are doing a 

 work for the world, and we will work for you." 



Mrs. Audubon became a governess and then a teacher. 

 The great plantations were rich at that time, and her high 

 character and accomplishments brought her pupils that ren- 

 dered her an income of several thousand dollars a year. 



She established a school at Bayou Sara, La. 

 96 



