u are happy, my child."

The startled maiden looked at her father with surprise as he uttered
these words; and, as he finished, her head fell heavily on her breast
and tears streamed silently from her eyes. Monsieur De Vlierbeck took
her hand tenderly as he said, in faltering words,--

"I feared, Lenora, that I would make you sad; but you must become
accustomed to the idea of our separation."

Lenora raised her head quickly as she replied, in a firm and resolute
manner, "What! could Gustave ever dream of our separation? To leave you
at Grinselhof passing your days in seclusion while I and my husband were
in the world in the midst of festivity? I should not have an instant's
rest, wherever I might be; conscience would cry aloud in my heart,
'Ungrateful and insensible child, thy father is abandoned to suffering
and solitude!' Yes, I love Gustave; he is dearer to me than life itself,
and I receive his hand as a blessing from God; but if he should say to
me, 'Abandon your father!'--if he left me no choice except you or
him,--I would close my eyes and reject him! I should be sad; I should
suffer; perhaps even I should die; but, father dear, I would die in your
arms!"

She bent down her head for a moment as if oppressed by a dreadful
thought; but, raising her large eyes, liquid with tears, she fixed them
on her father, as she added,--

"You doubt Gustave's affection for you; you imagine him capable of
filling your life with sorrow,--of separating me from you! Oh, father,
you do not know him; you do not know how much he respects and loves you;
you do not comprehend the warmth of his generous and loving heart!"

De Vlierbeck bent over his child and impressed a kiss on her forehead,
as he was about to utter some words of consolation, when suddenly Lenora
sprang from his arms and pointed eagerly to the window, as if listening
to approaching sounds.

The noise of wheels and the clatter of horses on the road soon gave
Monsieur De Vlierbeck to understand why his daughter had been so
startled. His face assumed a more animated expression, and, descending
hurriedly, he reached the door as Monsieur Denecker alighted from his
coach.

The merchant seemed in exceedingly good humor; he grasped De Vlierbeck's
hand, expressing his delight at seeing him once more. "How goes it with
you, my old friend? It seems that rogue, my nephew, has taken advantage
of my absence." And, although De Vlierbeck ushered him into the saloon
with all th