her tears; but, as Philip was about to leave her in
obedience to a summons from his father, she suddenly exclaimed:

"Will you not forget me in the midst of the splendor that will surround
you? Will you not cease to love me?"

"Forget you! Cease to love you!" replied Philip, with a shudder, as if
such a fear expressed at such a moment was an evil omen. "I shall never
forget you! I shall never cease to love you!"

He was about to say still more when he saw his mother approaching. He
led Dolores gently to her, kissed them both, and hastened to join his
father.

The latter was pacing to and fro in his chamber, thoughtful and sad, for
the departure of his son made his heart heavy with grief.

"You sent for me, father," said Philip.

"Yes, my son," responded the Marquis, seating himself and motioning his
son to a chair beside him. "I wish to say a few words to you. You are
about to leave me, Philip. In a few hours you will be your own master. I
shall no longer be near you; nor will your mother be at hand to advise
you. Moreover, you are deprived of our counsel and experience just when
you most need them, at a time when your life must undergo a radical
change and you are beset with difficulties. I have decided that
Coursegol shall accompany you, for his judgment may be of service to you
in the absence of ours. You must regard his advice as that of a friend
rather than of a servant; but do not accept his counsels or the counsels
of any other person without reflection. There are cases, it is true, in
which one must decide hastily. If you have not time to consult those in
whom you repose confidence, you must be guided by your own judgment; and
in order that you may not err, engrave upon your heart the words I am
about to utter."

The Marquis paused a moment, then resumed:

"'God, your country and the king'--this should be your motto. You are
about to go out into the world. You will meet many fanatics, atheists
and libertines. Shun their example; do not be led astray by their
sophistries, and before you speak or act, ask yourself if what you are
about to say or do does not conflict with the respect you owe to your
religion, to France and to your king."

This was the general tenor of the conversation, which lasted nearly an
hour. His father, it is true, told him nothing he had not heard already.
His advice was nothing more than a resume of the lessons he had always
taught him; but Philip was deeply moved, and he promise