However, as I remembered the superior's assertion that it
was a miracle in my favor--a wonderful interposition of
Providence, I had courage enough to ask: 'So it was not chance
that guided you in your choice?'
"My question seemed to take him by surprise. 'Poor Marguerite!'
he murmured, 'dearly beloved child! for years I have been laboring
to bring about this chance!' Instantly all the romantic stories I
had heard in the asylum recurred to my mind. And Heaven knows
there are plenty of these stories transmitted by the sisters from
generation to generation, till they have become a sort of Golden
Legend for poor foundlings. That sad formula, 'Father and mother
unknown,' which figures on certificates of birth, acts as a
dangerous stimulant for unhealthy imaginations, and leaves an open
door for the most extravagant hopes. And thus influenced, I fixed
my eyes on the face of the Count de Chalusse, striving to discover
some resemblance in his features to my own. But he did not seem
to notice my intent gaze, and following his train of thought, he
muttered: 'Chance! It was necessary that they should think so, and
they did think so. And yet the cleverest detectives in Paris,
from old Tabaret to Fortunat, both masters in the art of following
up a clue, had exhausted their resources in helping me in my
despairing search.' The agony of suspense I was enduring had
become intolerable; and unable to restrain myself longer, I
exclaimed, with a wildly throbbing heart: 'Then, you are my
father, Monsieur le Comte?' He pressed his hand to my lips with
such violence that he hurt me, and then, in a voice quivering with
excitement, he replied: 'Imprudent girl! What can you mean? Forget
that unfortunate idea.
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