n here."

"Father!"

"Oh, let me tell you all, since a providential chance has brought about
this conversation I at once desired and dreaded! I would, to secure your
happiness, have sacrificed my affection for Madame d'Harville and my
friendship for Murphy, had I thought they recalled the past to you."

"Oh, their presence, when they know what I was, and yet love me so
tenderly, seems a proof of pardon and oblivion to me! I should have been
miserable if for my sake you had renounced Madame d'Harville's hand."

"Oh, you know not what sacrifice Clemence herself would have made, for
she was aware of the full extent of my duties to you!"

"Duties to me! What have I done to deserve so much goodness?"

"Until the moment that Heaven restored you to me, your life had been one
of sorrow and misery, and I reproach myself with your sufferings as if I
had caused them, and when I see you happy, it seems to me I am forgiven.
My only wish, my sole aim, is to render you as happy as you were before
unhappy, to exalt you as you have been abased, for the last trace of
your humiliation must disappear when you see the noblest in the land vie
with each other who shall show you most respect."

"Respect to me! Oh, no! It is to my rank and not to myself they show
respect."

"It is to you, dear child,--it is to you!"

"You love me so much, dear father, that every one thinks to please you
by showing me respect."

"Oh, naughty child!" cried Rodolph, tenderly kissing his daughter; "she
will not cede anything to my paternal pride."

"Is not your pride satisfied at my attributing the kindness I receive to
you only?"

"No, that is not the same thing; I cannot be proud of myself, but of
you. You are ignorant of your own merits; in fifteen months your
education has been so perfected that the most enthusiastic mother would
be proud of you."

At this moment the door of the salon opened, and Clemence, grand duchess
of Gerolstein, entered, holding a letter in her hand.

"Here, love, is a letter from France," said she to Rodolph; "I brought
it myself, because I wished to bid good-morrow to my dear child, whom I
have not yet seen to-day."

"This letter arrives most opportunely," said Rodolph. "We were speaking
of the Past; that monster we must destroy, since he threatens the repose
of our child."

"Is it possible that these fits of melancholy we have so often
remarked--"

"Were occasioned by unhappy recollections; but now that we know th