"I really _do_ like him, Adele, as a very pleasant companion for an hour or two, and as a very perfect gentleman." "Yes, he told me all that. But, if you like him so well, why not like him better? Why not love him?" "I will be plain and true with you, Adele. I do not choose to consider at all, whether I could or could _not_, love him. He has never asked me, has never spoken of love to me; and putting it out of the question that it is unmaidenly to love unasked, I am sure it is unwise." "I understand, I understand. But he _will_ ask you, that is certain; and, when he does ask, what shall you say?" "It will be time enough to consider when that time shall come." "Another way of saying, `I shall say _yes_!' But come, Valerie, you must promise me that if you need my assistance, you will call upon me for it. You _know_ that anything I can do for you will be done without a thought but how I best may serve you; and Jervis will do likewise, since he, as I do, considers that under Heaven, we owe our happiness to you." "I promise it." "Enough; I will ask no more. Now come up to my room, and I will give you Madame d'Albret's letters, and some pretty presents she has sent you. Do you know, Valerie, nothing could exceed her kindness to us. I believe she repents bitterly her unkindness to you. I cannot repeat the terms of praise and admiration which she applied to you." "And do you know, Adele, that it was her infamous and miserable husband, Monsieur G--, whom the Count horsewhipped this very day, for insulting me?" "Indeed? was it indeed? That man's enmity to you will never cease, so long as he has life. No, Jervis did not tell me who it was, thinking, I fancy, that neither you nor I would have so much as known his name. But never care about the wretch. Here is Madame's letter."