them, you think me a miser, hiding my wealth and
starving my child and myself to amass riches,--a wretch who sacrifices
every thing for money,--a vagabond whom all ought to fear and despise!"

"Oh, pardon me, pardon me, sir!" interrupted Gustave, moved by the
excitement of the old man "I think nothing of the kind! My veneration
for you is unbounded!"

"Nay, don't be frightened at my words, young man," continued De
Vlierbeck, in a calmer tone. "I make no accusations against you,
Gustave. I only saw in your incredulous smile that I had succeeded in
masking my poverty even from you, and in making you suppose that my
economy was avarice. But it is needless for me to give you any further
explanation just now. Let it suffice you to know that what I say is
strictly, honestly true. I possess nothing,--nothing!"

"And now," added he, after a moment's silence on both sides, "let me
give you a piece of advice. Go home to-day without seeing Lenora;
examine your soul calmly, and see whether there are no secret emotions
that may make you change your present views; let a night pass, and if,
to-morrow, Lenora, poor as you now know her to be, is still dear to
you,--if you still think you can be happy with her and can make her
happy,--seek your uncle and ask his consent. Here is my hand: if the day
shall ever come when I can offer it as a father's, it will be the
happiest of my life!"

Although the revelation made by Monsieur De Vlierbeck was astonishing to
Gustave, the solemn tone in which he announced it convinced the lover of
its truth. He was silent for a moment; but soon a spark of enthusiasm
began to glisten in his eye and light up his face, as he exclaimed,--

"How can you ask me if I shall continue to love Lenora now that I know
her to be poor? It will be happiness enough for me to receive her as a
wife, to be bound to her by the eternal bonds of love, to be forever
within her reach, and to receive my happiness from her look and voice!
What delight it will be for me to protect her and know that I have the
privilege of working for her! Palace or hovel; riches or poverty, all
are equally indifferent to me, provided her presence animates the spot!
A night's reflection, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, cannot change my
resolution. Grant me Lenora's hand, and I will thank you on my knees for
the priceless gift!"

"And suppose I do," replied the old gentleman; "generosity and
constancy are natural to the ardent character of youth:--but yo