A single client of mine, no less a man than
the Commandant Raynal, will, I am sure, advance me the remaining third
at an hour's notice; and so Beaurepaire chateau, park, estate, and
grounds, down to the old oak-tree, shall be saved; and no power shall
alienate them from you, mademoiselle, and from the heirs of your body."
The baroness clasped her hands in ecstasy.
"But what are we to do for this?" inquired Josephine calmly, "for it
seems to me that it can only be effected by a sacrifice on your part."
"I thank you, mademoiselle, for your penetration in seeing that I must
make sacrifices. I would never have told you, but you have seen it;
and I do not regret that you have seen it. Madame--mademoiselle--those
sacrifices appear little to me; will seem nothing; will never be
mentioned, or even alluded to after this day, if you, on your part, will
lay me under a far heavier obligation, if in short"--here the contemner
of things unsubstantial reopened his coat, and brought his ribbon to
light again--"if you, madame, will accept me for your son-in-law--if
you, mademoiselle, will take me for your husband.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123