“If you will persist in paying me such high-flown compliments,” said Isabelle, with a little shrug of her pretty shoulders, “I shall certainly resume the reading, and you will have to listen to a long story that the corsair is just about to relate to the beautiful princess, his captive, in the cabin of his galley.”

“Oh, no! surely I do not deserve such a severe punishment as that.  Even at the risk of appearing garrulous, I do so want to talk a little.  That confounded doctor has kept me mute long enough in all conscience, and I am tired to death of having the seal of silence upon my lips, like a statue of Hippocrates.”

“But I am afraid you may do yourself harm; remember that your wound is scarcely healed yet, and the injured lung is still very irritable.  Maitre Laurent laid such stress upon my reading to you, so that you should keep quiet, and give your chest a good chance to get strong and well again.”

“Maitre Laurent doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and only wants to prolong his own importance to me.  My lungs work as well as ever they did.  I feel perfectly myself again, and I’ve a great mind to order my horse and go for a canter in the forest.”

“You had better talk than do such a wildly imprudent thing as that; it is certainly less dangerous.”

“I shall very soon be about again, my sweet little sister, and then I shall have the pleasure of introducing you into the society suitable to your rank—­where your incomparable grace and beauty will create a sensation, and bring crowds of adorers to your feet.  From among them you will be able to select a husband, eh?” “I can have no desire to do anything of that kind, Vallombreuse, and pray do not think this the foolish declaration of a girl who would be very sorry to be taken at her word.  I am entirely in earnest, I do assure you.  I have bestowed my hand so often in the last act of the pieces I have played that I am in no hurry to do it in reality.  I do not wish for anything better than to remain quietly here with the prince and yourself.”

“But, my dear girl, a father and brother will not always content you—­do not think it!  Such affection cannot satisfy the demands of the heart forever.”

“It will be enough for me, however, and if some day they fail me, I can take refuge in a convent.”

“Heaven forbid! that would be carrying austerity too far indeed.  I pray you never to mention it again, if you have any regard for my peace of mind.  And now tell me, my sweet little sister, what do you think of my dear friend, the Chevalier de Vidalinc? does not he seem to be possessed of every qualification necessary to make a good husband?”

“Doubtless, and the woman that he marries will have a right to consider herself fortunate but however charming and desirable your friend may be, my dear Vallombreuse, I shall never be that woman.”