m has been my ruin," added she,
almost unconsciously.

"Nonsense! What an over-nice person you are, to talk of a little
innocent flirtation being ruinous, and that, too, with a man so
scrupulously guarded as to abstain from ever appearing in your husband's
presence, for fear of compromising you. You must admit that M. Charles
Robert is a man of surprising honour, delicacy, and real feeling. I feel
the more inclined to espouse his cause from the recollection that you
have never met him elsewhere but at my house, and because I can answer
for his principles, and that his devoted attachment to you can only be
equalled by the deep respect he bears you."

"I have never doubted the many noble qualities you have so repeatedly
assured me he possesses, but you know well that it is his long
succession of bitter afflictions which have so warmly interested me in
his favour."

"And well does he merit this interest, and most fully do his excellent
qualities absolve you of all blame in thus bestowing it. Surely so fine
and noble a countenance bespeaks a mind equally superior to all mankind.
How completely are you reminded, while gazing on his tall and finely
proportioned figure, of the _preux chevaliers_ of bygone days,'_sans
peur et sans reproche_.' I once saw him dressed in his uniform as
commandant of the national guard, and, handsome as he is, I really
think he looked surpassingly well, and I could but say to myself, that,
if nobility were the award of inward merit and external beauty, M.
Charles Robert, instead of being so called, would take precedence of
nearly all our dukes and peers. Would he not be a fitting representative
of any of the most distinguished families in France?"

"You know, my dear countess, how very little importance I attach to mere
birth, and you yourself have frequently reproached me with being
strongly inclined to republicanism," said Madame d'Harville, smiling
gently.

"For my own part, I always thought, with you, that M. Charles Robert
required not the aid of rank or titles to render him worthy of universal
admiration. Then, what extreme talent he possesses! What a fine voice he
has! And what delightful morning concerts we three have been able to
achieve, owing to his all-powerful assistance! Ah, my dear Clemence, do
you remember the first time you ever sang with him: what passionate
expression did he not throw into the words of that beautiful duet, so
descriptive of his love, and his fear of offendi