Will you
be my wife?"
The poor girl was obliged to exercise all her powers of self-
control to restrain an exclamation of dismay. It was indeed more
than dismay; she was absolutely terrified by the Marquis de
Valorsay's unexpected declaration, and she could only falter:
"Monsieur! monsieur!"
But with an air of winning frankness he continued: "Need I tell
you who I am, mademoiselle? No; that is unnecessary. The fact
that my suit was approved of by M. de Chalusse is the best
recommendation I can offer you. The pure and stainless name I
bear is one of the proudest in France; and though my fortune may
have been somewhat impaired by youthful folly, it is still more
than sufficient to maintain an establishment in keeping with my
rank."
Mademoiselle Marguerite was still powerless to reply. Her
presence of mind had entirely deserted her, and her tongue seemed
to cleave to her palate. She glanced entreatingly at the old
magistrate, as if imploring his intervention, but he was so
absorbed in contemplating his wonderful ring, that one might have
imagined he was oblivious of all that was going on around him.
"I am aware that I have so far not been fortunate enough to please
you, mademoiselle," continued the marquis. "M. de Chalusse did
not conceal it from me--I remember, alas! that I advocated in your
presence a number of stupid theories, which must have given you a
very poor opinion of me. But you will forgive me, I trust.
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