“And yet, cruel, hard-hearted child that you were—­though so divinely good and lovely—­you refused your hand to me, when I sued for it on my knees.  I know well that it was all through generosity, and that of the noblest—­but, my darling, it was a very cruel generosity too.”

“I will do my best to atone for it now, my dearest de Sigognac, in giving you this hand you wished for, together with my heart, which has long been all your own.  The Comtesse de Lineuil is not bound to be governed by the scruples of Isabelle, the actress.  I have had only one fear—­that your pride might keep you from ever seeking me again as I am now.  But, even if you had given me up, you would never have loved another woman, would you, de Sigognac?  You would have been faithful to me always, even though you had renounced me—­I felt so sure of that.  Were you thinking of me down there in your ancient chateau, when Vallombreuse broke in upon your solitude?”

“My dearest Isabelle, by day I had only one thought—­of you—­and at night, when I kissed the sacred pillow on which your lovely head had rested, before laying my own down upon it, I besought the god of dreams to show me your adored image while I slept.”

“And were your prayers sometimes answered?”

“Always—­not once was I disappointed—­and only when morning came did you leave me, vanishing through ‘the ivory gates.’  Oh I how interminable the sad, lonely days seemed to me, and how I wished that I could sleep, and dream of you, my angel, all the weary time.”

“I saw you also in my dreams, many nights in succession.  Our souls must have met, de Sigognac, while our bodies lay wrapped in slumber.  But now, thanks be to God, we are reunited—­and forever.  The prince, my father, knew and approved of your being brought here, Vallombreuse said, so we can have no opposition to our wishes to fear from him.  He has spoken to me of you several times of late in very flattering terms; looking at me searchingly, the while, in a way that greatly agitated and troubled me, for I did not know what might be in his mind, as Vallombreuse had not then told me that he no longer hated you, and I feared that he would always do so after his double defeat at your hands.  But all the terrible anxiety is over now, my beloved, and blessed peace and happiness lie before us.”

At this moment the door opened, and the young duke announced to de Sigognac that his father was waiting to receive him.  The baron immediately rose from his seat beside Isabelle, bowed low to her, and followed Vallombreuse to the prince’s presence.  The aged nobleman, dressed entirely in black, and with his breast covered with orders, was sitting in a large arm-chair at a table heaped up with books and papers, with which he had evidently been occupied.  His attitude was stately and dignified, and the expression of his noble, benevolent countenance affable in the extreme.  He rose to receive de Sigognac, gave him a cordial greeting, and politely bade him be seated.