o look calculated to reassure her; all
it seemed to say was, "It is not only your reserve which afflicts me."

"What is it, then?" asked the young girl. "Perhaps you think I shall
abandon you, dear grandpapa, and that I shall forget you when I am
married?"

"No."

"They told you, then, that M. d'Epinay consented to our all living
together?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you still vexed and grieved?" The old man's eyes beamed
with an expression of gentle affection. "Yes, I understand," said
Valentine; "it is because you love me." The old man assented. "And you
are afraid I shall be unhappy?"

"Yes."

"You do not like M. Franz?" The eyes repeated several times, "No, no,
no."

"Then you are vexed with the engagement?"

"Yes."

"Well, listen," said Valentine, throwing herself on her knees, and
putting her arm round her grandfather's neck, "I am vexed, too, for I do
not love M. Franz d'Epinay." An expression of intense joy illumined the
old man's eyes. "When I wished to retire into a convent, you remember
how angry you were with me?" A tear trembled in the eye of the invalid.
"Well," continued Valentine, "the reason of my proposing it was that
I might escape this hateful marriage, which drives me to despair."
Noirtier's breathing came thick and short. "Then the idea of this
marriage really grieves you too? Ah, if you could but help me--if we
could both together defeat their plan! But you are unable to oppose
them,--you, whose mind is so quick, and whose will is so firm are
nevertheless, as weak and unequal to the contest as I am myself. Alas,
you, who would have been such a powerful protector to me in the days
of your health and strength, can now only sympathize in my joys and
sorrows, without being able to take any active part in them. However,
this is much, and calls for gratitude and heaven has not taken away all
my blessings when it leaves me your sympathy and kindness."

At these words there appeared in Noirtier's eye an expression of such
deep meaning that the young girl thought she could read these words
there: "You are mistaken; I can still do much for you."

"Do you think you can help me, dear grandpapa?" said Valentine.

"Yes." Noirtier raised his eyes, it was the sign agreed on between him
and Valentine when he wanted anything.

"What is it you want, dear grandpapa?" said Valentine, and she
endeavored to recall to mind all the things which he would be likely to
need; and as the ideas presented themsel