BARON CUVIER. 305 



mained silent all the time,) with mock solemnity 

 summed up the whole, showing that every body 

 had been more or less influenced by his peculiar 

 vocation, or favourite pursuit ; and conchided 

 by saying, that he had no doubt but that every 

 one of them, if they met Girodet the next day, 

 would congratulate him on the perfect picture 

 he had produced. On these evenings, one or 

 two old, or particularly cherished friends would 

 remain, talking after the rest had taken their de- 

 parture ; the hours passed, the clock would 

 strike two before the little coterie thought of 

 separating ; and even then M. Cuvier would say, 

 *' Nay, gentlemen, do not be in such a hurry, it 

 is quite early," 



But I am now speaking of that period which 

 preceded the death of the angel Clementine, so 

 named after the dear and excellent mother, who 

 had so well guided the earliest youth of her 

 father. This pure creature was so good herself, 

 that she never suspected evil in others, and was 

 the light of every body's existence in this hal- 

 lowed circle. Her likeness to M. Cuvier was 

 very striking ; and though her eyes and hair 

 were of a darker and a different shade, his every 

 feature could be traced in her countenance, 

 softened into feminine beauty. Her talents, her 



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