Isabelle took her part modestly--but with a very sweet dignity, that sat
well upon her--in the conversation at the table, and in the salon, and
her remarks were so to the point, so witty, and so apropos, that the
prince was astonished as well as charmed, and grew daily more proud of
and devoted to his new treasure; finding a happiness and satisfaction
he had longed for all his life in the affection and devotion of his
children.
At last Vallombreuse was pronounced well enough to mount his horse, and
go for a ride in the forest--which he had long been sighing for--and
Isabelle gladly consented to bear him company. They looked a wonderfully
handsome pair, as they rode leisurely through the leafy arcades. But
there was one very marked difference between them.
The young man's countenance was radiant with happiness and smiles,
but the girl's face was clouded over with an abiding melancholy.
Occasionally her brother's lively sallies would bring a faint smile to
her sweet lips, but they fell back immediately into the mournful droop
that had become habitual with them. Vallombreuse apparently did not
perceive it--though in reality he was well aware of it, and of its
cause--and was full of fun and frolic.
"Oh! what a delicious thing it is to live," he cried, "yet how seldom
we think of the exquisite enjoyment there is in the simple act of
breathing," and he drew a long, deep breath, as if he never could get
enough of the soft, balmy air.
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