“I did not mean it in the light of a reflection. I know he is a fine French scholar, and keeps himself _au courant_ with the methods and discoveries of modern science; but of course he is a graduate of the old school.” “The subject is painful to me, Albert. I am deeply mortified that you should institute any comparison between yourself and my father in this respect.” “You seem pleased to treat me like a sophomore,” he said, angrily, assuming an air of superiority that could not deceive Clara. “You will pardon me for saying, that if this is good taste, it is at least unwise.” “Unwise?” echoed Clara, with disgust. “I deny that I even dreamed of treating you with the slightest disrespect; but tell me, please, what result I ought to fear.” “Oh, nothing; my respect, my admiration, amount to nothing, of course;” and Albert took out his cigar-case, and selecting a Havana, was about to strike a match. “Put away your match!” said Clara. “You have not my permission to smoke in my room to-day.” “Madame is obeyed,” he said, bowing and putting away his cigar. The tone and manner of Clara were so strangely unlike all he knew of her, that he was astonished into good-humored admiration. “Respect is due to me from you, and all the world, until I forfeit it by ignoble conduct. Your admiration I have thought and hoped I could never lose, for no true man or woman can really love when that is gone;” and as Clara said this, she glanced at her reflection in the glass. “I think you are right, my dear,” he said, coldly. “It is sad for a woman to lose what little beauty she has, for I think the admiration of most men depends wholly on personal beauty.” “No, Clara. It is happiness that most charms the lover.” “Then, indeed, I have no chance, for I am not happy.” “I was fool enough to think my wife ought to be happy.” “No; the woman you love should be happy. I am proud of being your wife, as you well know, but I would gladly change my state to that of your mistress, could I regain what I feel that I have lost forever. Oh, Albert! the world seems vanishing under my feet, when I think we have come to this.”