"Research in its Divine philosophy, May measure out the ocean deep, May count the stars, or the sun's rays; But God, for Thee there is no weight nor measure. None can search Thy counsels infinite and dark. Reason's brightest spark though multiplied by millions, And arrayed in all the glories of divinest thought; Is but an atom in the balance weighed against Thy greatness Is a cypher wrought against Infinity. "And what am I then? Nought! Nought, but the effluence of Thy light divine, Pervading worlds hath reached my spirit too; Yes! In my spirit doth Thy spirit shine, As shines the sunbeam in the drop of dew. Thy chains the unmeasured Universe surround Upheld by Thee, by Thee inspired with breath, Thou the beginning with the end hath bound, And beautifully mingled life and death. "As sparks shoot upwards from the fiery blaze So suns are born--so worlds spring forth from thee, And as the spangles from the sunny rays Shine round the glittering snow, So heaven's bright army echoes with Thy praise. What shall we call them--globes of crystal light? A glorious company of golden streams, Lamps of celestial ether burning bright. Suns lighting systems with their glorious beams But Thou to these are as the noon to night. "What are ten million worlds compared with thee? And what am I then? Nought, Nought! But I live and on hope's pinions fly Eager towards Thy presence, For in Thee I live and dwell--aspiring high Even to the threshold of Thy Divinity, I am, O God! and surely Thou must be!" "Bravo!" cried Riche, "I for one pronounce you not guilty of the charge of atheism." Payot felt that Delapine had decidedly the best of the argument, and being utterly unable to reply made an excuse to go. "My dear Villebois," said he, "you cannot think how I have enjoyed this pleasant evening, but I have an important engagement with the Minister of Finance, and time presses," and so saying he proceeded to pull out his watch. A cold shiver went through him. A gold watch was clearly there, but it was an open-faced one, whereas his was a hunter. "Mon Dieu!" he cried, "my watch has gone, and someone has left his own in its place." Everyone immediately felt for his own watch. "By Jove!" exclaimed Marcel, "here's a funny thing. Why, I've got Payot's watch fastened on to my chain. Here's the number right enough, B40479. Look!" he exclaimed, "my gold seal has gone too, and my toothpick as well. Oh! Oh!! Oh!!!" he cried in three different tones. "Yes," added Payot, "and what is far more serious, my pocket-book has disappeared, and it contains 10,000 frs. in Billets de Banque." "And now my wedding ring has gone," sobbed Madame Villebois. "Oh you wicked, wicked man," she cried to Delapine, "I shall have you put in prison for this." "Do not alarm yourself, my dear madame. It is your husband who is the thief, not I."