ight, when I kissed the sacred pillow on which your lovely head had
rested, before laying my own down upon it, I besought the god of dreams
to show me your adored image while I slept."

"And were your prayers sometimes answered?"

"Always--not once was I disappointed--and only when morning came did you
leave me, vanishing through 'the ivory gates.' Oh I how interminable the
sad, lonely days seemed to me, and how I wished that I could sleep, and
dream of you, my angel, all the weary time."

"I saw you also in my dreams, many nights in succession. Our souls must
have met, de Sigognac, while our bodies lay wrapped in slumber. But now,
thanks be to God, we are reunited--and forever. The prince, my father,
knew and approved of your being brought here, Vallombreuse said, so we
can have no opposition to our wishes to fear from him. He has spoken to
me of you several times of late in very flattering terms; looking at me
searchingly, the while, in a way that greatly agitated and troubled me,
for I did not know what might be in his mind, as Vallombreuse had not
then told me that he no longer hated you, and I feared that he would
always do so after his double defeat at your hands. But all the terrible
anxiety is over now, my beloved, and blessed peace and happiness lie
before us."

At this moment the door opened, and the young duke announced to
de Sigognac that his father was waiting to receive him. The baron
immediately rose from his seat beside Isabelle, bowed low to her, and
followed Vallombreuse to the prince's presence. The aged nobleman,
dressed entirely in black, and with his breast covered with orders, was
sitting in a large arm-chair at a table heaped up with books and papers,
with which he had evidently been occupied. His attitude was stately
and dignified, and the expression of his noble, benevolent countenance
affable in the extreme. He rose to receive de Sigognac, gave him a
cordial greeting, and politely bade him be seated.

"My dear father," said Vallombreuse, "I present to you the Baron de
Sigognac; formerly my rival, now my friend, and soon to be my brother,
if you consent. Any improvement that you may see in me is due to his
influence, and it is no light obligation that I owe to him--though he
will not admit that there is any. The baron comes to ask a favour of
you, which I shall rejoice to see accorded to him."

The prince made a gesture of acquiescence, and looked reassuringly at de
Sigognac, as if inviti