at least to say that you have,
which amounts to the same thing."

Then he made her a low bow, and departed, with as self-satisfied and
jaunty an air as if he had been in truth a favoured suitor. Half an
hour later a lackey brought in a beautiful bouquet, of the rarest
and choicest flowers, while the stems were clasped by a magnificent
bracelet, fit for a queen's wearing. A little piece of folded paper
nestled among the flowers--a note from the duke--and the fair prisoner
recognised the handwriting as the same in which "For Isabelle" was
written, on the slip of paper that accompanied the casket of jewels at
Poitiers. The note read as follows:

"DEAR ISABELLE--I send you these flowers, though I know they will be
ungraciously received. As they come from me, their beauty and fragrance
will not find favour in your eyes. But whatever may be their fate, even
though you only touch them to fling them disdainfully out of the window,
they will force you to think for a moment--if it be but in anger--of him
who declares himself, in spite of everything, your devoted adorer,

"VALLOMBREUSE."

This note, breathing of the most specious gallantry, and tenacity of
purpose, did produce very much the effect it predicted; for it made
Isabelle exceedingly angry; and, without even once inhaling the
delicious perfume of the flowers, or pausing for an instant to admire
their beauty, she flung the bouquet, diamond bracelet and all, out into
the antechamber. Never surely were lovely blossoms so badly treated; and
yet Isabelle was excessively fond of them; but she feared that if she
even allowed them to remain a little while in her room, their donor
would presume upon the slight concession. She had scarcely resumed her
seat by the fire, after disposing of the obnoxious bouquet, when a maid
appeared, who had been sent to wait upon her. She was a pretty, refined
looking girl, but very pale, and with an air of deep melancholy--as
if she were brooding over a secret sorrow. She offered her services
to Isabelle without looking up, and in a low, subdued voice, as if she
feared that the very walls had ears. Isabelle allowed her to take down
and comb out her long, silky hair, which was very much dishevelled, and
to arrange it again as she habitually wore it; which was quickly and
skilfully done. Then the maid opened a wardrobe and took out several
beautiful gowns, exquisitely made and trimmed, and just Isabelle's
size; but she would not even look at th