66 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



When I fell ill, the B.'s, knowing me to be alone and uncared 

 for, brought me to their house. During my stay with them, 

 I acquired the conviction that my darling little girls did not 

 love me, especially the eldest, who interested me even more 

 than her three sisters. . . . The dreams I told you of have 

 vanished ! 



It was a grief to me, for, apart from my scientific interests, 

 I cherished them more than anything. I have no acquaint- 

 ances and do not require any, but I long to have some one 

 with me to whom I could become attached and who could 

 share my pleasures and leisure. 



My grief would have been greater still if I had not seen 

 that Ludmilla Fedorovitch, whom I mentioned to you this 

 summer, showed me much sympathy in all my troubles. 



We were already very good friends, and have now drawn 

 nearer together ; who knows ? perhaps the 800 roubles which 

 are going to be added to my salary will be very useful. 



I will keep you informed of everything, dear Mother, for 

 I am sure of your sympathy ; I love you better than the whole 

 world and I have full confidence in you. 



Au revoir, dear Mother, I kiss your hands. Your 



ELIE METCHNIKOFF. 



Mile. Fedorovitch became ill in her turn ; the 

 sympathy which Elie showed her on this occasion 

 brought them still nearer to each other, and he soon 

 decided to marry her. He informed his mother of 

 this ; much alarmed, she tried to dissuade him, for 

 she feared that by marrying a girl in delicate health, 

 her son would be assuming too heavy a task in his 

 difficult circumstances. 



He answered as follows : 



I received your letter to-day, dear Mother. It grieves 

 me very much. My project inspires you with doubt, you 

 counsel prudence and, though you say you believe me to be 

 reasonable, yet you fear that I am acting on an impulse. If 

 I really am reasonable, why fear a blind impulse ? On the 



