ctly well aware that the daughter of whom you are so
justly proud might aspire to the first alliance in Europe, but I
also know that so tender and devoted a parent as yourself would
not hesitate to bestow the hand of the Princess Amelie on my
son, if you believed by so doing her happiness would be secured.

"It is not for me to dwell upon Henry's merits,--you have been
graciously pleased to bestow your approval on his conduct thus
far, and I venture to hope he will never give you cause to
change the favourable opinion you have deigned to express
concerning him.

"Of this be assured, that whatever may be your determination, we
shall bow in respectful and implicit submission to it, and that
I shall never be otherwise than your royal highness's most
humble and obedient servant,

"GUSTAVE PAUL,
"_Prince of Herkauesen-Oldenzaal_."

After the perusal of this letter Rodolph remained for some time sad and
pensive; then a gleam of hope darting across his mind, he returned to
his daughter, whom Clemence was most tenderly consoling.

"My dear child," said he, as he entered, "you yourself observed that
this day seemed destined to be one of important discoveries and solemn
explanations, but I did not then think your words would be so strikingly
verified as they seem likely to be."

"Dear father, what has happened?"

"Fresh sources of uneasiness have arisen."

"On whose account?"

"On yours, my child. I fear you have only revealed to us a portion of
your griefs."

"Be kind enough to explain yourself," said Fleur-de-Marie, blushing.

"Then hearken to me, my beloved child. You have, perhaps, good cause to
fancy yourself unhappy. When, at the commencement of our conversation,
you spoke of the hopes you still entertained, I understood your meaning,
and my heart seemed broken by the blow with which I was menaced, for I
read but too clearly that you desired to quit me for ever, and to bury
yourself in the eternal seclusion of a cloister. My child, say, have I
not divined your intentions?"

"If you would consent," murmured forth Fleur-de-Marie, in a faint,
gasping voice.

"Would you, then, quit us?" exclaimed Clemence.

"The abbey of Ste. Hermangeld is in the immediate neighbourhood of
Gerolstein, and I should frequently see yourself and my father."

"Remember, my child, that vows such as you would tak