aw it, for he had often seen the box and
the magnificent portrait.

"Plans, prejudices, pride, and family pride," said the Prince, "my
child, disappeared, as you know, when I heard the words 'The daughter of
Rovero.' Rovero was my savior and brother. From that moment I understood
that in the far-away skies, he besought me to discharge my debt towards
him, and to prove the extent of my gratitude. I understood that he would
have bequeathed his daughter to me, to become my own; therefore, when I
opened my arms you became my child, and since then my love for you has
continually increased. When I took charge of your life, my daughter, I
took charge of your happiness, which I thought secured for ever. For
some time, though, you have shed tears in secret--do not tell me no,"
said the Prince, as he saw Aminta make a motion of negation. "I have
studied you closely, and one cannot deceive a father's heart--I am your
father. Monsieur," said the Prince, turning towards his son, "now you
know why I love your wife. You see that her sorrows are mine, and that
her tears melt my heart. For two months you have distressed and made her
weep over your neglect and indifference, the fatal secret of which I
know and intend to tell her."

Henri quivered with fear.

"Father, for pity's sake, do not...."

"Monsieur," said the Prince, "had you blushed earlier you would not do
so now."

"My daughter," said he, pointing to the Marquise who bent before him;
"your husband is not false to you, but he is a gamester."

"Then he has not deceived me," said the young woman. With an emotion she
could not restrain, she rushed into the arms of the Marquis. For some
moments the Prince looked at her with deep emotion, for Aminta forgave
and pardoned all in one who had not betrayed her. Then the Prince
continued sadly--

"Do not rejoice so soon, my child; gaming is the instigator of all
vices, and has led him so far as to _risk his honor without the means of
redeeming his parole_."

"Monsieur," said the Prince to his son, "I have told you a terrible
story, to prove to what abasement the passion for gaming can reduce a
man. That abasement you are in danger of."

"Father, if you knew the temptation."

"I do--for three days ago your mysterious life was revealed to me. In
the circle to which you belong, in one of those societies formed to
divide and interfere with domestic life--where persons go in search of a
liberty and after a license they do not find