create a
sensation, and bring crowds of adorers to your feet. From among them
you will be able to select a husband, eh?" "I can have no desire to
do anything of that kind, Vallombreuse, and pray do not think this the
foolish declaration of a girl who would be very sorry to be taken at her
word. I am entirely in earnest, I do assure you. I have bestowed my hand
so often in the last act of the pieces I have played that I am in no
hurry to do it in reality. I do not wish for anything better than to
remain quietly here with the prince and yourself."

"But, my dear girl, a father and brother will not always content you--do
not think it! Such affection cannot satisfy the demands of the heart
forever."

"It will be enough for me, however, and if some day they fail me, I can
take refuge in a convent."

"Heaven forbid! that would be carrying austerity too far indeed. I pray
you never to mention it again, if you have any regard for my peace of
mind. And now tell me, my sweet little sister, what do you think of my
dear friend, the Chevalier de Vidalinc? does not he seem to be possessed
of every qualification necessary to make a good husband?"

"Doubtless, and the woman that he marries will have a right to consider
herself fortunate but however charming and desirable your friend may be,
my dear Vallombreuse, _I_ shall never be that woman."

"Well, let him pass, then--but tell me what you think of the Marquis de
l'Estang, who came to see me the other day, and gazed spell-bound at my
lovely sister all the time he was here. He was so overwhelmed by your
surpassing grace, so dazzled by your exquisite beauty, that he was
struck dumb, and when he tried to pay you pretty compliments, did
nothing but stammer and blush. Aside from this timidity, which made him
appear to great disadvantage, and which your ladyship should readily
excuse, since you yourself were the cause of it, the marquis is an
accomplished and estimable gentleman. He is handsome, young, of high
birth and great wealth. He would do capitally for my fair sister, and is
sure to address himself to the prince--if indeed he has not already done
so--as an aspirant to the honour of an alliance with her."

"As I have the honour of belonging to this illustrious family," said
Isabelle a little impatiently, for she was exceedingly annoyed by this
banter, "too much humility would not become me, therefore I will not say
that I consider myself unworthy of such an alliance; but if the