Marquis
de l'Estang should ask my hand of my father, I would refuse him. I
have told you, my dear brother, more than once, that I do not wish to
marry--and you know it too--so pray don't tease me any more about it."

"Oh! what a fierce, determined little woman is this fair sister of mine.
Diana herself was not more inaccessible, in the forests and valleys of
Haemus--yet, if the naughty mythological stories may be believed, she
did at last smile upon a certain Endymion. You are vexed, because I
casually propose some suitable candidates for the honour of your hand;
but you need not be, for, if THEY do not please you, we will hunt up one
who will."

"I am not vexed, my dear brother, but you are certainly talking far too
much for an invalid, and I shall tell Maitre, Laurent to reprimand you,
or not permit you to have the promised bit of fowl for your supper."

"Oh! if that's the case I will desist at once," said Vallombreuse,
with a droll air of submission, "for I'm as hungry as an ogre--but
rest assured of one thing, my charming sister: No one shall select your
husband but myself."

To put an end to this teasing, Isabelle began to read the corsair's long
story, without paying any attention to the indignant protests that were
made, and Vallombreuse, to revenge himself, finally closed his eyes
and pretended to be asleep; which feigned slumber soon became real,
and Isabelle, perceiving that it was so, put aside her book and quietly
stole away.

This conversation, in which, under all his mischievous banter, the duke
seemed to have a definite and serious purpose in view, worried Isabelle
very much, in spite of her efforts to banish it from her mind. Could
it be that Vallombreuse was nursing a secret resentment against de
Sigognac? He had never once spoken his name, or referred to him in
any way, since he was wounded by him; and was he trying to place an
insurmountable barrier between his sister and the baron, by bringing
about her marriage with another? or was he simply trying to find out
whether the actress transformed to a countess, had changed in
sentiments as well as in rank? Isabelle could not answer these questions
satisfactorily to herself. As she was the duke's sister, of course the
rivalry between him and de Sigognac could no longer exist; but, on the
other hand, it was difficult to imagine that such a haughty, vindictive
character as the young duke's could have forgotten, or forgiven, the
ignominy of his first