"
"But, papa, there are some very good families descended from bastards.
The history of France swarms with princes bearing the bar sinister on
their shields."
"Your ideas are much changed," said the old man, with a smile.
The following day was the last that the Fontaine family were to spend
at the Pavillon Planat. Emilie, greatly disturbed by her father's
warning, awaited with extreme impatience the hour at which young
Longueville was in the habit of coming, to wring some explanation from
him. She went out after dinner, and walked alone across the shrubbery
towards an arbor fit for lovers, where she knew that the eager youth
would seek her; and as she hastened thither she considered of the best
way to discover so important a matter without compromising herself--a
rather difficult thing! Hitherto no direct avowal had sanctioned the
feelings which bound her to this stranger. Like Maximilien, she had
secretly enjoyed the sweetness of first love; but both were equally
proud, and each feared to confess that love.
Maximilien Longueville, to whom Clara had communicated her not
unfounded suspicions as to Emilie's character, was by turns carried
away by the violence of a young man's passion, and held back by a wish
to know and test the woman to whom he would be entrusting his
happiness. His love had not hindered him from perceiving in Emilie the
prejudices which marred her young nature; but before attempting to
counteract them, he wished to be sure that she loved him, for he would
no sooner risk the fate of his love than of his life.
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