dBooks desire

Valancourt, however,
had not forgotten this circumstance, and the consideration of it had
made him so modest in his expectations from Madame Clairval, that he
had not even named the relationship in his first conversation with
Madame Cheron. But, whatever might be the future fortune of Emily,
the present distinction, which the connection would afford for
herself, was certain, since the splendour of Madame Clairval's
establishment was such as to excite the general envy and partial
imitation of the neighbourhood. Thus had she consented to involve
her niece in an engagement, to which she saw only a distant and
uncertain conclusion, with as little consideration of her happiness,
as when she had so precipitately forbade it: for though she herself
possessed the means of rendering this union not only certain, but
prudent, yet to do so was no part of her present intention.
From this period Valancourt made frequent visits to Madame Cheron,
and Emily passed in his society the happiest hours she had known
since the death of her father.


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