“That objection might be rational in most instances,” said Madame de la Tour; “and no prospect of temporal advantage for you, I am sure, would induce me to urge a step which could expose you to such trials, or jeopardize those principles, which you well know I have always inculcated, and most highly prized.  But De Valette is no bigot, and I am persuaded he would never counteract your inclinations, or restrain you from worshipping according to the dictates of your conscience.  Both your parents, as you already know, Lucie, were Catholics; many of your father’s connexions are now high in favor with the ruling party, and your marriage with a Catholic would doubtless be agreeable to them; and, while it established your own fortune, might give you an opportunity to serve the cause of our persecuted sect.”

“I feel under no obligations to my father’s relations,” replied Lucie; “they have never shewn any interest in me; even my existence has seemed a matter of indifference to them, and there is scarcely one to whom I have been personally known.”

“There were some peculiar circumstances connected with your father’s history,” said Mad. de la Tour, “which, for a long time, involved his nearest friends in deep affliction.  He did not long survive your mother, and his family would gladly have received you into their protection, had not your aunt Rossville claimed you as her sister’s last bequest.  She soon after became a protestant, and persisted in educating you in that faith, which naturally gave offence to your paternal relatives; and to that cause alone I attribute the decline of their interest.  But, if you return to France, and as the wife of De Valette,”—­

“That I can never do!” interrupted Lucie;—­“dearest aunt,” she added, “I would sacrifice much to gratify your wishes; but the happiness of my whole life,—­surely you would not exact that from me!”

“I exact nothing from you, Lucie,” she replied; “but I would have you consider well, before you finally reject the tried affection of De Valette, and with it affluence and an honorable station in your native land, merely from the impulse of a girlish fancy, which would rashly lead you from friends and country, to share the doubtful fortunes of a puritan; to adopt the habits of strangers, and endure the privations of a youthful colony!”

“I have reflected on all these things,” said Lucie; “and I am persuaded that wealth and distinction are, at best, but empty substitutes for happiness; and that the humblest lot is rich in true enjoyment, when shared with one whose love is the fountain of our hopes, whose smile can brighten the darkest hour, and scatter roses over the thorniest path of life.  I had rather,” she added, with a glowing cheek, “far rather trust my little bark to the guidance of affection, upon the placid stream of domestic joy, than to launch it on the troubled waters of ambition, with pleasure at the helm, and freighted with hopes and desires, which can bring back no returns but those of disappointment and vexation.”