cellent!" repeated the squire, who
evidently partook of Madame d'Harville's nervousness, and sought to
defer the moment of his embassy by one little pretext and the other.
"That will not give her the least suspicion, not the shadow of a notion
what she is wanted for. Nothing better could have been suggested."

But still Murphy stirred not.

"Sir Walter," said Clemence, smiling, "you are afraid!"

"Well, I won't deny it!" said the squire. "And, spite of my standing six
feet high, I feel and know I am trembling like a child."

"Then take care, my good fellow!" said Rodolph. "You had better wait a
little longer if you do not feel quite sure of yourself."

"No, no, my lord; I have got the upper hand of my fears this time!"
replied Murphy, pressing his two herculean fists to his eyes. "I know
very well that at my time of life it is ridiculous for me to show such
weakness! I'm going, my lord, don't you be uneasy!" So saying, Murphy
left the room with a firm step and composed countenance.

A momentary silence followed his departure, and then, for the first
time, Clemence remembered she was alone with the prince, and under his
roof. Rodolph drew near to her, and said, with an almost timid voice and
manner:

"If I select this day--this hour--to divulge to you the dearest secret
of my heart, it is that the solemnity of the present moment may give
greater weight to that I would impart, and persuade you to believe me
sincere, when I assure you I have loved you almost from the hour I first
beheld you. While obstacles stood in the way of my love I studiously
concealed it; but you are now free to hear me declare my affection, and
to ask you to become a mother to the daughter you restore to me."

"My lord," cried Madame d'Harville, "what words are these?"

"Oh, refuse me not," said Rodolph, tenderly; "let this day decide the
happiness of my future life."

Clemence had also nourished a deep and sincere passion for the prince;
and his open, manly avowal of a similar feeling towards herself, made
under such peculiar circumstances, transported her with joy, and she
could but falter out in a hesitating voice:

"My lord, 'tis for me to remind you of the difference of our stations,
and the interests of your sovereignty."

"Permit me first to consider the interest of my own heart, and that of
my beloved child. Oh, make us both happy by consenting to be mine! So
that I who, but a short time since, owned no blessed tie, may now
pro