When she read this, she was astonished at the
moderation of Madame Cheron, and looked at her with timid
expectation, as she said sorrowfully--'What am I to say, madam?'
'Why--we must see the young man, I believe,' replied her aunt, 'and
hear what he has further to say for himself. You may tell him he may
come.' Emily dared scarcely credit what she heard. 'Yet, stay,'
added Madame Cheron, 'I will tell him so myself.' She called for pen
and ink; Emily still not daring to trust the emotions she felt, and
almost sinking beneath them. Her surprise would have been less had
she overheard, on the preceding evening, what Madame Cheron had not
forgotten--that Valancourt was the nephew of Madame Clairval.
What were the particulars of her aunt's note Emily did not learn, but
the result was a visit from Valancourt in the evening, whom Madame
Cheron received alone, and they had a long conversation before Emily
was called down. When she entered the room, her aunt was conversing
with complacency, and she saw the eyes of Valancourt, as he
impatiently rose, animated with hope.
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