Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/105

Rh matter. Lescarbault had kept the secret to himself for several months, hoping that he might again see the planet, for he feared lest he might have deceived himself. But the results of Leverrier, reaching his ears, gave him courage to divulge it, though with some trepidation. Leverrier started for Orgères with similar feelings, hope being mingled with fear. He was sustained by the hope that he might, a second time, wear the proudest laurels that can encircle mortal brows; but he had the secret fear that he might be the victim of a delusion or a hoax.

It is rarely that science is associated with incidents of so dramatic a character. Our demonstrative neighbours have been charmed by the romantic interest of the story, and have given expression to their feelings in their own characteristic manner. The academic halls and the gay salons of Paris resounded for weeks with the name of the village-doctor. Leverrier, after detailing the incidents of his visit to Orgeres to his brother savans in the Academy of Science, was called to repeat the story in less learned, but more fashionable parties. Others still more eloquent took up the story; and, embellished with additional incidents, it was repeated over and over again to eager audiences. We shall follow the version of the Abbe Moigno, who heard Leverrier detail the incidents to a brilliant throng in the salon of his father-in-law, M. Choquet.

It was on the 30th of September, that Leverrier started from Paris for the village of Orgères. He