"Oh, to be sure! How stupid of me not to think of that! M. Rodolph wishes to see her,--capital, excellent!" repeated the squire, who evidently partook of Madame d'Harville's nervousness, and sought to defer the moment of his embassy by one little pretext and the other. "That will not give her the least suspicion, not the shadow of a notion what she is wanted for. Nothing better could have been suggested." But still Murphy stirred not. "Sir Walter," said Clemence, smiling, "you are afraid!" "Well, I won't deny it!" said the squire. "And, spite of my standing six feet high, I feel and know I am trembling like a child." "Then take care, my good fellow!" said Rodolph. "You had better wait a little longer if you do not feel quite sure of yourself." "No, no, my lord; I have got the upper hand of my fears this time!" replied Murphy, pressing his two herculean fists to his eyes. "I know very well that at my time of life it is ridiculous for me to show such weakness! I'm going, my lord, don't you be uneasy!" So saying, Murphy left the room with a firm step and composed countenance. A momentary silence followed his departure, and then, for the first time, Clemence remembered she was alone with the prince, and under his roof. Rodolph drew near to her, and said, with an almost timid voice and manner: "If I select this day--this hour--to divulge to you the dearest secret of my heart, it is that the solemnity of the present moment may give greater weight to that I would impart, and persuade you to believe me sincere, when I assure you I have loved you almost from the hour I first beheld you. While obstacles stood in the way of my love I studiously concealed it; but you are now free to hear me declare my affection, and to ask you to become a mother to the daughter you restore to me." "My lord," cried Madame d'Harville, "what words are these?" "Oh, refuse me not," said Rodolph, tenderly; "let this day decide the happiness of my future life." Clemence had also nourished a deep and sincere passion for the prince; and his open, manly avowal of a similar feeling towards herself, made under such peculiar circumstances, transported her with joy, and she could but falter out in a hesitating voice: "My lord, 'tis for me to remind you of the difference of our stations, and the interests of your sovereignty." "Permit me first to consider the interest of my own heart, and that of my beloved child. Oh, make us both happy by consenting to be mine! So that I who, but a short time since, owned no blessed tie, may now proudly indulge in the idea of having both a wife and daughter; and give to the sorrowing child who is just restored to my arms the delight of saying, 'My father--my mother--my sister!'--for your sweet girl would become mine also." "Ah, my lord," exclaimed Clemence, "my grateful tears alone can speak my sense of such noble conduct!" Then suddenly checking herself, she added, "I hear persons approaching, my lord; your daughter comes."