“’Oh, yes!  I knew you, count; I knew you long ago.  And there was many a day when I wished I were a friend of yours, so that I might say to you, “Well done, sir! what you are doing is grand, is noble!"’

“And that was true; for she remembered a number of passages from my speeches, even from such as I had forgotten myself; and she always quoted them literally.  At times, I was amazed at some peculiarly bold thoughts which she uttered; and, when I complimented her upon them, she broke out in loud laughter, and said,—­

“’Why, count, these are your own ideas; I got them from you.  You said so on such and such an occasion.’

“And when I looked at night, after my return, into my papers, to ascertain the fact, I found almost always that Miss Brandon had been right.  Need I tell you after that, that I soon became an almost daily visitor at the house in Circus Street?  Surely you take it for granted.

“But what I must tell you is, that I found there the most perfect happiness, and the purest that I have ever known upon earth.  I was filled with respect and with admiration, when I looked at their rigid morality, united with the heartiest cheerfulness.  There I enjoyed my happiest hours, between Mrs. Brian, the Puritan lady, so strict for herself, so indulgent for others; and Thomas Elgin, the noblest and best of men, who conceals under an appearance of icy coldness the warmest and kindest of hearts.”

What was Count Ville-Handry aiming at? or had he no aim at all?

Had he come merely to confide to Daniel the amazing romance of his love?  Or did he simply yield to the natural desire of all lovers, to pour out the exuberance of their feelings, and to talk of their love, even when they know that their indiscretion may be fatal to their success?

Daniel put these questions to himself; but the count did not leave him time to reflect, and to answer them.

After a short pause, he seemed to rouse himself, and said, suddenly changing his tone,—­

“I guess what you think, my dear Daniel.  You say to yourself, ’Count Ville-Handry was in love.’  Well, I assure you you are mistaken.”

Daniel started from his chair; and, overcome by amazement, he exclaimed,—­

“Can it be possible?”

“Exactly so; I give you my word of honor.  The feelings which attracted me toward Miss Brandon were the same that bound me to my daughter.  But as I am a shrewd observer, and have some knowledge of the human heart, I could not help being struck by a change in Miss Brandon’s face, and especially in her manner.  After having treated me with the greatest freedom and familiarity, she had suddenly become reserved, and almost cold.  It was evident to me that she was embarrassed in my presence.  Our constant intercourse, so far from reassuring her, seemed to frighten her.  You may guess how I interpreted this change, my dear Daniel.

“But, as I have never been a conceited man, I thought I might be mistaken.  I devoted myself, therefore, to more careful observation; and I soon became aware, that, if I loved Miss Brandon only with the affection of a father, I had succeeded in inspiring her with a more tender sentiment.”