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第35章

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respectfully; saying:



〃You are quite right; monsieur。〃



He then withdrew; but not without a bow to Ursula; in which there was

more of sadness than disappointment。



Desire left the house at the same time; but he found it impossible to

exchange even a word with the young nobleman; who rushed into his own

house precipitately。







CHAPTER XIII



BETROTHAL OF HEARTS



This rupture between the Portendueres and Doctor Minoret gave talk

among the heirs for a week; they did homage to the genius of Dionis;

and regarded their inheritance as rescued。



So; in an age when ranks are leveled; when the mania for equality

puts everybody on one footing and threatens to destroy all bulwarks;

even military subordination;that last refuge of power in France;

where passions have now no other obstacles to overcome than personal

antipathies; or differences of fortune;the obstinacy of an old…

fashioned Breton woman and the dignity of Doctor Minoret created a

barrier between these lovers; which was to end; as such obstacles

often do; not in destroying but in strengthening love。 To an ardent

man a woman's value is that which she costs him; Savinien foresaw a

struggle; great efforts; many uncertainties; and already the young

girl was rendered dearer to him; he was resolved to win her。 Perhaps

our feelings obey the laws of nature as to the lastingness of her

creations; to a long life a long childhood。



The next morning; when they woke; Ursula and Savinien had the same

thought。 An intimate understanding of this kind would create love if

it were not already its most precious proof。 When the young girl

parted her curtains just far enough to let her eyes take in Savinien's

window; she saw the face of her lover above the fastening of his。 When

one reflects on the immense services that windows render to lovers it

seems natural and right that a tax should be levied on them。 Having

thus protested against her godfather's harshness; Ursula dropped the

curtain and opened her window to close the outer blinds; through which

she could continue to see without being seen herself。 Seven or eight

times during the day she went up to her room; always to find the young

viscount writing; tearing up what he had written; and then writing

againto her; no doubt!



The next morning when she woke La Bougival gave her the following

letter:





To Mademoiselle Ursula:



Mademoiselle;I do not conceal from myself the distrust a young

man inspires when he has placed himself in the position from which

your godfather's kindness released me。 I know that I must in

future give greater guarantees of good conduct than other men;

therefore; mademoiselle; it is with deep humility that I place

myself at your feet and ask you to consider my love。 This

declaration is not dictated by passion; it comes from an inward

certainty which involves the whole of life。 A foolish infatuation

for my young aunt; Madame de Kergarouet; was the cause of my going

to prison; will you not regard as a proof of my sincere love the

total disappearance of those wishes; of that image; now effaced

from my heart by yours? No sooner did I see you; asleep and so

engaging in your childlike slumber at Bouron; than you occupied my

soul as a queen takes possession of her empire。 I will have no

other wife than you。 You have every qualification I desire in her

who is to bear my name。 The education you have received and the

dignity of your own mind; place you on the level of the highest

positions。 But I doubt myself too much to dare describe you to

yourself; I can only love you。 After listening to you yesterday I

recalled certain words which seem as though written for you;

suffer me to transcribe them:



〃Made to draw all hearts and charm all eyes; gentle and

intelligent; spiritual yet able to reason; courteous as though she

had passed her life at court; simple as the hermit who had never

known the world; the fire of her soul is tempered in her eyes by

sacred modesty。〃



I feel the value of the noble soul revealed in you by many; even

the most trifling; things。 This it is which gives me the courage

to ask you; provided you love no one else; to let me prove to you

by my conduct and my devotion that I am not unworthy of you。 It

concerns my very life; you cannot doubt that all my powers will be

employed; not only in trying to please you; but in deserving your

esteem; which is more precious to me than any other upon earth。

With this hope; Ursulaif you will suffer me so to call you in my

heartNemours will be to me a paradise; the hardest tasks will

bring me joys derived through you; as life itself is derived from

God。 Tell me that I may call myself



Your Savinien。





Ursula kissed the letter; then; having re…read it and clasped it with

passionate motions; she dressed herself eagerly to carry it to her

uncle。



〃Ah; my God! I nearly forgot to say my prayers!〃 she exclaimed;

turning back to kneel on her prie…Dieu。



A few moments later she went down to the garden; where she found her

godfather and made him read the letter。 They both sat down on a bench

under the arch of climbing plants opposite to the Chinese pagoda。

Ursula awaited the old man's words; and the old man reflected long;

too long for the impatient young girl。 At last; the result of their

secret interview appeared in the following answer; part of which the

doctor undoubtedly dictated。





To Monsieur le Vicomte Savinien de Portenduere:



Monsieur;I cannot be otherwise than greatly honored by the

letter in which you offer me your hand; but; at my age; and

according to the rules of my education; I have felt bound to

communicate it to my godfather; who is all I have; and whom I love

as a father and also as a friend。 I must now tell you the painful

objections which he has made to me; and which must be to you my

answer。



Monsieur le vicomte; I am a poor girl; whose fortune depends

entirely; not only on my godfather's good…will; but also on the

doubtful success of the measures he may take to elude the schemes

of his relatives against me。 Though I am the legitimate daughter

of Joseph Mirouet; band…master of the 45th regiment of infantry;

my father himself was my godfather's natural half…brother; and

therefore these relatives may; though without reason; being a suit

against a young girl who would be defenceless。 You see; monsieur;

that the smallness of my fortune is not my greatest misfortune。 I

have many things to make me humble。 It is for your sake; and not

for my own; that I lay before you these facts; which to loving and

devoted hearts are sometimes of little weight。 But I beg you to

consider; monsieur; that if I did not submit them to you; I might

be suspected of leading your tenderness to overlook obstacles

which the world; and more especially your mother; regard as

insuperable。



I shall be sixteen in four months。 Perhaps you will admit that we

are both too young and too inexperienced to understand the

miseries of a life entered upon without other fortune than that I

have received from the kindness of the late Monsieur de Jordy。 My

godfather desires; moreover; not to marry me until I am twenty。

Who knows what fate may have in store for you in four years; the

finest years of your life? do not sacrifice them to a poor girl。



Having thus explained to you; monsieur; the opinions of my dear

godfather; who; far from opposing my happiness; seeks to

contribute to it in every way; and earnestly desires that his

protection; which must soon fail me; may be replaced by a

tenderness equal to his own; there remains only to tell you how

touched I am by your offer and by the compliments which accompany

it。 The prudence which dictates my letter is that of an old man to

whom life is well…known; but the gratitude I express is that of a

young girl; in whose soul no other sentiment has arisen。



Therefore; monsieur; I can sign myself; in all sincerity;



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