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vagueness pleases youthful minds。 Just because each had postponed
speaking too long； they seemed to be playing a cruel game of suspense。
He was trying to discover whether he was beloved； by the effort any
confession would cost his haughty mistress； she every minute hoped
that he would break a too respectful silence。
Emilie； seated on a rustic bench； was reflecting on all that had
happened in these three months full of enchantment。 Her father's
suspicions were the last that could appeal to her； she even disposed
of them at once by two or three of those reflections natural to an
inexperienced girl； which； to her； seemed conclusive。 Above all； she
was convinced that it was impossible that she should deceive herself。
All the summer through she had not been able to detect in Maximilien a
single gesture； or a single word； which could indicate a vulgar origin
or vulgar occupations； nay more； his manner of discussing things
revealed a man devoted to the highest interests of the nation。
〃Besides；〃 she reflected； 〃an office clerk； a banker； or a merchant；
would not be at leisure to spend a whole season in paying his
addresses to me in the midst of woods and fields； wasting his time as
freely as a nobleman who has life before him free of all care。〃
She had given herself up to meditations far more interesting to her
than these preliminary thoughts； when a slight rustling in the leaves
announced to her than Maximilien had been watching her for a minute；
not probably without admiration。
〃Do you know that it is very wrong to take a young girl thus
unawares？〃 she asked him； smiling。
〃Especially when they are busy with their secrets；〃 replied Maximilien
archly。
〃Why should I not have my secrets？ You certainly have yours。〃
〃Then you really were thinking of your secrets？〃 he went on； laughing。
〃No； I was thinking of yours。 My own； I know。〃
〃But perhaps my secrets are yours； and yours mine；〃 cried the young
man； softly seizing Mademoiselle de Fontaine's hand and drawing it
through his arm。
After walking a few steps they found themselves under a clump of trees
which the hues of the sinking sun wrapped in a haze of red and brown。
This touch of natural magic lent a certain solemnity to the moment。
The young man's free and eager action； and； above all； the throbbing
of his surging heart； whose hurried beating spoke to Emilie's arm；
stirred her to an emotion that was all the more disturbing because it
was produced by the simplest and most innocent circumstances。 The
restraint under which the young girls of the upper class live gives
incredible force to any explosion of feeling； and to meet an
impassioned lover is one of the greatest dangers they can encounter。
Never had Emilie and Maximilien allowed their eyes to say so much that
they dared never speak。 Carried a way by this intoxication； they
easily forgot the petty stipulations of pride； and the cold
hesitancies of suspicion。 At first； indeed； they could only express
themselves by a pressure of hands which interpreted their happy
thoughts。
After slowing pacing a few steps in long silence； Mademoiselle de
Fontaine spoke。 〃Monsieur； I have a question to ask you；〃 she said
trembling； and in an agitated voice。 〃But； remember； I beg； that it is
in a manner compulsory on me； from the rather singular position I am
in with regard to my family。〃
A pause； terrible to Emilie； followed these sentences； which she had
almost stammered out。 During the minute while it lasted； the girl；
haughty as she was； dared not meet the flashing eye of the man she
loved； for she was secretly conscious of the meanness of the next
words she added： 〃Are you of noble birth？〃
As soon as the words were spoken she wished herself at the bottom of a
lake。
〃Mademoiselle；〃 Longueville gravely replied； and his face assumed a
sort of stern dignity； 〃I promise to answer you truly as soon as you
shall have answered in all sincerity a question I will put to you！〃
He released her arm； and the girl suddenly felt alone in the world； as
he said： 〃What is your object in questioning me as to my birth？〃
She stood motionless； cold； and speechless。
〃Mademoiselle；〃 Maximilien went on； 〃let us go no further if we do not
understand each other。 I love you；〃 he said； in a voice of deep
emotion。 〃Well； then；〃 he added； as he heard the joyful exclamation
she could not suppress； 〃why ask me if I am of noble birth？〃
〃Could he speak so if he were not？〃 cried a voice within her； which
Emilie believed came from the depths of her heart。 She gracefully
raised her head； seemed to find new life in the young man's gaze； and
held out her hand as if to renew the alliance。
〃You thought I cared very much for dignities？〃 said she with keen
archness。
〃I have no titles to offer my wife；〃 he replied； in a half…sportive；
half…serious tone。 〃But if I choose one of high rank； and among women
whom a wealthy home has accustomed to the luxury and pleasures of a
fine fortune； I know what such a choice requires of me。 Love gives
everything；〃 he added lightly； 〃but only to lovers。 Once married； they
need something more than the vault of heaven and the carpet of a
meadow。〃
〃He is rich；〃 she reflected。 〃As to titles； perhaps he only wants to
try me。 He has been told that I am mad about titles； and bent on
marrying none but a peer's son。 My priggish sisters have played me
that trick。〃〃I assure you； monsieur；〃 she said aloud； 〃that I have
had very extravagant ideas about life and the world； but now；〃 she
added pointedly； looking at him in a perfectly distracting way； 〃I
know where true riches are to be found for a wife。〃
〃I must believe that you are speaking from the depths of your heart；〃
he said； with gentle gravity。 〃But this winter； my dear Emilie； in
less than two months perhaps； I may be proud of what I shall have to
offer you if you care for the pleasures of wealth。 This is the only
secret I shall keep locked here；〃 and he laid his hand on his heart；
〃for on its success my happiness depends。 I dare not say ours。〃
〃Yes； yes； ours！〃
Exchanging such sweet nothings； they slowly made their way back to
rejoin the company。 Mademoiselle de Fontaine had never found her lover
more amiable or wittier： his light figure； his engaging manners；
seemed to her more charming than ever； since the conversation which
had made her to some extent the possessor of a heart worthy to be the
envy of every woman。 They sang an Italian duet with so much expression
that the audience applauded enthusiastically。 Their adieux were in a
conventional tone； which concealed their happiness。 In short； this day
had been to Emilie like a chain binding her more closely than ever to
the Stranger's fate。 The strength and dignity he had displayed in the
scene when they had confessed their feelings had perhaps impressed
Mademoiselle de Fontaine with the respect without which there is no
true love。
When she was left alone in the drawing…room with her father； the old
man went up to her affectionately； held her hands； and asked her
whether she had gained any light at to Monsieur Longueville's family
and fortune。
〃Yes； my dear father；〃 she replied； 〃and I am happier than I could
have hoped。 In short； Monsieur de Longueville is the only man I could
ever marry。〃
〃Very well； Emilie；〃 said the Count； 〃then I know what remains for me
to do。〃
〃Do you know of any impediment？〃 she asked； in sincere alarm。
〃My dear child； the young man is totally unknown to me； but unless he
is not a man of honor； so long as you love him； he is as dear to me as
a son。〃
〃Not a man of honor！〃 exclaimed Emilie。 〃As to that； I am quite easy。
My uncle； who introduced him to us； will answer for him。 Say； my dear
uncle； has he been a filibuster； an outlaw； a pirate？〃
〃I knew I should find myself in this fix！〃 cried the old sailor；
waking up。 He looked round the room； but his niec