"Duties to me! What have I done to deserve so much goodness?" "Until the moment that Heaven restored you to me, your life had been one of sorrow and misery, and I reproach myself with your sufferings as if I had caused them, and when I see you happy, it seems to me I am forgiven. My only wish, my sole aim, is to render you as happy as you were before unhappy, to exalt you as you have been abased, for the last trace of your humiliation must disappear when you see the noblest in the land vie with each other who shall show you most respect." "Respect to me! Oh, no! It is to my rank and not to myself they show respect." "It is to you, dear child,--it is to you!" "You love me so much, dear father, that every one thinks to please you by showing me respect." "Oh, naughty child!" cried Rodolph, tenderly kissing his daughter; "she will not cede anything to my paternal pride." "Is not your pride satisfied at my attributing the kindness I receive to you only?" "No, that is not the same thing; I cannot be proud of myself, but of you. You are ignorant of your own merits; in fifteen months your education has been so perfected that the most enthusiastic mother would be proud of you." At this moment the door of the salon opened, and Clemence, grand duchess of Gerolstein, entered, holding a letter in her hand. "Here, love, is a letter from France," said she to Rodolph; "I brought it myself, because I wished to bid good-morrow to my dear child, whom I have not yet seen to-day." "This letter arrives most opportunely," said Rodolph. "We were speaking of the Past; that monster we must destroy, since he threatens the repose of our child." "Is it possible that these fits of melancholy we have so often remarked--" "Were occasioned by unhappy recollections; but now that we know the enemy we shall destroy him." "From whom is this letter?" asked Clemence. "From Rigolette, Germain's wife." "Rigolette?" cried Fleur-de-Marie. "Oh, I am so glad!" "Do you not fear that this letter may serve to awaken fresh recollections?" said Clemence, in a low tone to Rodolph. "On the contrary, I wish to destroy these recollections, and I shall, doubtless, find arms in this letter, for Rigolette is a worthy creature, who appreciated and adored our child." Rodolph then read the following letter aloud: "BOUQUEVAL FARM, August 15, 1841.