You were the first to recognise her pure,
exalted soul, while she was still only an obscure actress. When she was
poor, and despised by those who will cringe to her now, you offered
to her--lowly as was her station--the most precious treasure that a
nobleman can possess: the time-honoured name of his ancestors. You would
have made her your wife then--now that she is rich, and of high rank,
she belongs to you of right. The true, faithful lover of Isabelle, the
actress, should be the honoured husband of the Comtesse de Lineuil."
"But you forget," cried de Sigognac, in much agitation, "that she
always absolutely refused me, though she knew that I was perfectly
disinterested."
"It was because of her supreme delicacy, her angelic susceptibility, and
her noble spirit of self-sacrifice that she said that. She feared that
she would necessarily be a disadvantage to you--an obstacle in the way
of your advancement. But the situation is entirely changed now."
"Yes, now it is I who would be a disadvantage to her; have I then a
right to be less generous and magnanimous than she was?"
"Do you still love my sister?" said Vallombreuse, in a grave tone. "As
her brother, I have the right to ask this question."
"I love her with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength,"
de Sigognac replied fervently, "as much and more than ever man loved
woman on this earth--where nothing is perfect--save Isabelle.
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