"You must not say _friend_, dear love; after this, call me _father_--do you understand?--father; for you are my daughter, and I am proud of you.--Oh! why did I not know this happiness sooner--this inward satisfaction which a man feels in pressing his child in his arms!--But I did not believe in it until I possessed you. I was still blind, and I denied the light!" Joys of the heart are always the best remedy for all ills. As soon as he saw his daughter once more, Léodgard rapidly improved; he was soon well enough to rise and walk about his room; but to make him perfectly comfortable, Blanche must be with him. He seemed to become more attached to her every day. Albeit vastly surprised by the power which the child exerted over his heart, he did not try to combat it; on the contrary, he abandoned himself to it with delight, for he realized that the unfamiliar sensation that he felt was the only one which causes us to enjoy true happiness. Sometimes, however, as he held his daughter on his knee, with his eyes resting on her lovely eyes, Léodgard would suddenly become depressed and thoughtful, and a livid pallor would overspread his features. Then, putting Blanche on the floor, he would walk hurriedly away from her, hiding his face in his hands, and muttering: "Poor child! Suppose that some day she should learn--that somebody should tell her that her father---- She would curse me, perhaps!--Oh! the mere thought is terrible! it is my most cruel punishment!" And Léodgard would remain as if crushed by his thoughts; but Blanche, unable to understand why her father had suddenly turned his back on her, would run to him and take his hand, saying in her sweet voice: "Papa, don't you love Blanche any more?" The little angel's tones very soon made their way to her father's heart, and, like a ray of sunshine, dissipated the storm that had gathered there. XLIX WOMAN CHANGES "Woman's moods are light as air; Foolish he who trusts the fair!" After his duel with Léodgard, the Marquis de Santoval returned to his hôtel and went at once to his wife, who was anxiously awaiting the result of the meeting, which she herself had brought about, between the count and her husband. When the marquis appeared with a triumphant air, Valentine was conscious of a thrill of horror which went to her heart. "You are avenged, madame, completely avenged!" said Monsieur de Santoval, as he saluted his wife. "Ah! I was very anxious, monsieur!" "I thank you for your anxiety. But with me you need have had no fear!" "Did you--meet--the Comte de Marvejols?" "Yes, madame; you may be sure that he would not fail to accept your amiable invitation. One has not such a charming rendezvous every evening!--And that fellow is so conceited! he could not fail to fall into the trap!" "And how did it come about?"