defeat at the baron's hands, and still less of the
second more disastrous encounter. Although their relative positions
were changed, Vallombreuse, in his heart, would doubtless always hate
de Sigognac--even if he had magnanimity enough to forgive him, it could
scarcely be expected that he should also love him, and be willing
to welcome him as a member of his family. No, all hope of such a
reconciliation must be abandoned. Besides, she feared that the prince,
her father, would never be able to regard with favour the man who had
imperilled the life of his only son. These sad thoughts threw poor
Isabelle into a profound melancholy, which she in vain endeavoured to
shake off. As long as she considered that her position as an actress
would be an obstacle to de Sigognac, she had resolutely repelled the
idea of a marriage with him, but now that an unhoped-for, undreamed-of
stroke of destiny had heaped upon her all the good things that heart
could desire, she would have loved to reward, with the gift of her hand
and fortune, the faithful lover who had addressed her when she was poor
and lowly--it seemed an actual meanness, to her generous spirit, not to
share her prosperity with the devoted companion of her misery. But all
that she could do was to be faithful to him--for she dared not say a
word in his favour, either to the prince or to Vallombreuse.

Very soon the young duke was well enough to join his father and sister
at meals, and he manifested such respectful and affectionate deference
to the prince, and such an ingenuous and delicate tenderness towards
Isabelle, that it was evident he had, in spite of his apparent
frivolity, a mind and character very superior to what one would have
expected to find in such a licentious, ungovernable youth as he had
been, and which gave promise of an honourable and useful manhood.
Isabelle took her part modestly--but with a very sweet dignity, that sat
well upon her--in the conversation at the table, and in the salon, and
her remarks were so to the point, so witty, and so apropos, that the
prince was astonished as well as charmed, and grew daily more proud of
and devoted to his new treasure; finding a happiness and satisfaction
he had longed for all his life in the affection and devotion of his
children.

At last Vallombreuse was pronounced well enough to mount his horse, and
go for a ride in the forest--which he had long been sighing for--and
Isabelle gladly consented to bear him company