"
"Never! never!" cried Isabelle, whose voice betrayed her distress.
"I shall always be faithful to a memory that is infinitely dear and
precious to me; for I cannot think that you intend to force me to act
against my will."
"Oh, no! I am not quite such a tyrant as that; I only ask you not to
reject my protege before you have seen him."
Without waiting for her reply, Vallombreuse abruptly left the room, and
returned in a moment with de Sigognac, whose heart was throbbing as
if it would burst out of his breast. The two young men, hand in hand,
paused on the threshold, hoping that Isabelle would turn her eyes
towards them; but she modestly cast them down and kept them fixed upon
the floor, while her thoughts flew far away, to hover about the beloved
being who she little dreamed was so near her. Vallombreuse, seeing that
she took no notice of them, and had fallen into a reverie, advanced
towards her, still holding de Sigognac by the hand, and made a
ceremonious bow, as did also his companion; but while the young duke was
smiling and gay, de Sigognac was deeply agitated, and very pale. Brave
as a lion when he had to do with men, he was timid with women--as are
all generous, manly hearts.
"Comtesse de Lineuil," said Vallombreuse, in an emphatic tone of voice,
"permit me to present to you one of my dearest friends, for whom I
entreat your favour--the Baron de Sigognac.
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