moiselle Marguerite de Chalusse, his
daughter."

"I am no longer Mademoiselle de Chalusse, Monsieur le Marquis, and I am
no longer the possessor of a fortune."

He felt the sharp sting of this retort, for the blood rose to his
cheeks, still he did not lose his composure. "If you were still rich,
mademoiselle," he replied, in the reproachful tone of an honest man who
feels that he is misunderstood, "I should, perhaps, have strength to
keep the sentiments with which you have inspired me a secret in my own
heart; but--" He rose, and with a gesture which was not devoid of
grace, and in a full ringing voice he added: "But you are no longer the
possessor of millions; and so I may tell you, Mademoiselle Marguerite,
that I love you. Will you be my wife?"

The poor girl was obliged to exercise all her powers of self-control to
restrain an exclamation of dismay. It was indeed more than dismay;
she was absolutely terrified by the Marquis de Valorsay's unexpected
declaration, and she could only falter: "Monsieur! monsieur!"

But with an air of winning frankness he continued: "Need I tell you who
I am, mademoiselle? No; that is unnecessary. The fact that my suit was
approved of by M. de Chalusse is the best recommendation I can offer
you. The pure and stainless name I bear is one of the proudest in
France; and though my fortune may have been somewhat impaired by
youthful folly, it is still more than sufficient to maintain an
establishment in keeping with my rank."

Mademoiselle Marguerite was still powerless to reply. Her presence of
mind had entirely deserted her, and her tongue seemed to cleave to her
palate. She glanced entreatingly at the old magistrate, as if imploring
his intervention, but he was so absorbed in contemplating his wonderful
ring, that one might have imagined he was oblivious of all that was
going on around him.

"I am aware that I have so far not been fortunate enough to please you,
mademoiselle," continued the marquis. "M. de Chalusse did not conceal it
from me--I remember, alas! that I advocated in your presence a number
of stupid theories, which must have given you a very poor opinion of me.
But you will forgive me, I trust. My ideas have entirely changed since
I have learned to understand and appreciate your vigorous intellect and
nobility of soul. I thoughtlessly spoke to you in the language which
is usually addressed to young ladies of our rank of life--frivolous
beauties, who are spoiled by vanity