“Listen!  My uncle died in Italy and left me heir of all his property.  He commanded me on his death-bed to marry Lenora.  I have searched heaven and earth to find you.  I have suffered for many months all the torture that a nature like mine can endure; and at length I have discovered you!  I have come, sir, to ask the reward of my suffering.  I lay my fortune, heart, and life at your feet; and, in exchange, I implore the happiness of leading Lenora to the altar.  Grant me that favor, O my father!  Grinselhof awaits you.  I bought it for you.  Every thing is there again.  The portraits of your ancestors are in their places on the wall, and every thing that was dear to you is restored.  Come! let me watch your old days, your declining years, with the veneration of a son! let me make you happy again;—­oh, how happy!”

The old man’s expression did not change, yet a tear moistened his eye.

“Ah!” continued Gustave, “nothing on earth can again separate me from her,—­not even a father’s power; for I feel that God himself has given her to me!  Yet pardon me, father, for my rashness, and bestow your benediction!”

De Vlierbeck seemed to have utterly forgotten the young man and his transports; for he stood with clasped hands and eyes raised to heaven, as if addressing his Maker in fervent prayer.  At length his words began to be heard distinctly:—­

“Oh, Margaret!  Margaret! rejoice on the bosom of God.  My promise is fulfilled;—­thy child will be happy!”

Gustave and Lenora stood before him hand in hand; and, as he threw his arms around the young man,—­

“May Heaven bless you for your love!” continued he.  “Make my child happy.  She is your wife!”

“Gustave, Gustave,—­my husband!” exclaimed Lenora, as they threw themselves into each other’s arms, and the first kiss of love—­the first consecrated kiss—­was exchanged on the breast of that happy father, who wept over and blessed his children.

* * * * *

And now, gentle reader, I must inform you that I have had my own reasons for concealing the situation and even the true name of the chateau of DE VLIERBECK.  None of you will, therefore, ever know where Gustave and Lenora dwell.  I know Monsieur and Madame Denecker intimately, and have taken many a walk around Grinselhof with two charming little children and their venerable grandfather.  I have often beheld the beautiful picture of peace, love, and domestic happiness that is seen in that old house beneath the grim ancestral portraits or in the fresh air under the trees.  I will not say who told me the story of this family.  Let it suffice that I know all the persons who have played a part in it, and that I have often chatted with Farmer John and Dame Bess while they poured forth their gossip about “The Poor Gentleman” and his trials.