id Vallombreuse to himself,
glancing complacently at the reflection of his own handsome face
and figure in a full-length mirror opposite to him; "Isabelle may be
virtuous and cold, but she is not blind, and Nature has not been so
unkind to me that the sight of me should inspire her with horror. I
can at least hope to produce the same happy effect as a fine statue
or picture, which attracts and charms the eye by its symmetry, or its
beautiful and harmonious colouring. Then, kneeling at her feet, I can
softly whisper some of those persuasive words that no woman can listen
to unmoved--accompanied by such passionately ardent looks that the ice
round her heart will melt under them and vanish quite away. Not one
of the loftiest, haughtiest ladies at the court has ever been able to
withstand them--they have thawed the iciest, most immaculate of them
all; and besides, it surely cannot fail to flatter the pride of this
disdainful, high-spirited little actress to have a real duke actually
and openly kneeling at her feet. Yes, I will take the old woman's
advice, and pay my court to her so charmingly and perseveringly that I
shall conquer at last--she will not be able to withstand me, my sweet
Isabelle. And it will be a miracle indeed if she has a regret left then
for that cursed de Sigognac; who shall no longer interfere between my
love and me--that I swear! She will soon forget him in my arms."

Having dismissed old Mme. Leonarde with a handsome gratuity, the duke
next summoned his valet, Picard, and held an important consultation with
him, as to his most becoming costumes, finally deciding upon a very
rich but comparatively plain one, all of black velvet; whose elegant
simplicity he thought would be likely to suit Isabelle's fastidious
taste better than any more gorgeous array, and in which it must be
confessed that he looked adorably handsome--his really beautiful face
and fine figure appearing to the utmost advantage.

His toilet completed, he sent a peremptory order to his coachman to have
the carriage, with the four bays, ready in a quarter of an hour. When
Picard had departed on this errand, Vallombreuse began pacing slowly to
and fro in his chamber, glancing into the mirror each time he passed it
with a self-satisfied smile. "That proud little minx must be deucedly
cross-grained and unappreciative," said he, "if she does not perceive
how much more worthy I am of her admiration than that shabby de
Sigognac. Oh, yes! she'll