"Does he speak it?" "As a native. I cannot tell what his accent may be, but he speaks it as readily as Monsieur Colin. Shall we learn, mamma? It will be the greatest advantage to us, Monsieur Colin conversing with us in French." "But what about the time, William?" "Oh, if you will manage the money, we will manage the time," returned William, laughing. "Only trust to us, mother. We will make it, and neglect nothing." "Then, William, you may tell Monsieur Colin that you shall learn." "Fair and easy!" broke out Frank; a saying of his when pleased. "Mamma, I think, what with one thing and another turning up, we boys shall be getting quite first-class education." "Although mamma feared we never should accomplish it," returned William. "As did I." "Fear!" cried Frank. "I didn't. I knew that 'where there's a will there's a way.' _Degeneres animos timor arguit_," added he, finishing off with one of his favourite Latin quotations; but forgetting, in his flourish, that he was paying a poor compliment to his mother and his brother. CHAPTER XIV. WILLIAM HALLIBURTON'S GHOST. This chapter may be said to commence the second part of this history, for some years have elapsed since the events last recorded. Do you doubt that the self-denying patience displayed by Jane Halliburton, her persevering struggles, her never-fainting industry, joined to her all-perfect trust in the goodness and guidance of the Most High God, could fail to bring their reward? It is not possible. But do not fancy that it came suddenly in the shape of a coach-and-six. Rewards worth having are not acquired so easily. Have you met with the following lines? They are somewhat applicable. "How rarely, friend, a good, great man inherits Honour and wealth, with all his worth and pains! It seems a fable from the land of spirits When any man obtains that which he merits, Or any merits that which he obtains. For shame, my friend! renounce this idle strain: What would'st thou have the good, great man obtain-- Wealth? title? dignity? a golden chain? Or heaps of corpses which his sword hath slain? Goodness and greatness are not means, but ends. Hath he not always treasures, always friends, The good, great man? Three treasures-- Love; and life; and calm thoughts, equable as infants' breath. And three fast friends, more sure than day or night, Himself; his Maker; and the angel, Death." Jane's reward was in progress: it had not fully come. At present it was little more than that of an approving conscience for having fought her way through difficulties in the patient continuance of well-doing, and in the fulfilment, in a remarkable manner, of the subject she had had most at heart--that of giving her sons an education that would fit them to fulfil any part they might be called upon to play in the destinies of life--in watching them grow up full of promise to make good and great men.