raised to heaven,
as if addressing his Maker in fervent prayer. At length his words began
to be heard distinctly:--

"Oh, Margaret! Margaret! rejoice on the bosom of God. My promise is
fulfilled;--thy child will be happy!"

Gustave and Lenora stood before him hand in hand; and, as he threw his
arms around the young man,--

"May Heaven bless you for your love!" continued he. "Make my child
happy. She is your wife!"

"Gustave, Gustave,--_my husband!_" exclaimed Lenora, as they threw
themselves into each other's arms, and the first kiss of love--the
first consecrated kiss--was exchanged on the breast of that happy
father, who wept over and blessed his children.

* * * * *

And now, gentle reader, I must inform you that I have had my own reasons
for concealing the situation and even the true name of the _chateau_ of
DE VLIERBECK. None of you will, therefore, ever know where Gustave and
Lenora dwell. I know Monsieur and Madame Denecker intimately, and have
taken many a walk around Grinselhof with two charming little children
and their venerable _grandfather_. I have often beheld the beautiful
picture of peace, love, and domestic happiness that is seen in that old
house beneath the grim ancestral portraits or in the fresh air under the
trees. I will not say who told me the story of this family. Let it
suffice that I know all the persons who have played a part in it, and
that I have often chatted with Farmer John and Dame Bess while they
poured forth their gossip about "The Poor Gentleman" and his trials.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POOR GENTLEMAN***

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