The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life

head resting on his hand. He seemed plunged in profound thought, for his eyes were fixed

g down-stairs suddenly as if she were pursued. No one who saw her could doubt that she was nervously anxious about something; yet her expression was one of joy and hope. Had she been able to penetrate her father's mind and behold the various

seated herself by her father and fixed h

we may, perhaps, to-morrow. Moderate your joy, my daughter; if it please Heaven to

joy, for I think I see Gustave speaking to his uncle. I hear what he says, and Monsieur Denecker's replies; I see him embrace Gustave

asked De Vlierbeck, with a smile,

the pleasures of your life! Gustave would have more skill than I to chase away the grief that sometimes clouds your brow; you could walk, talk, or hunt with him; he would venerate and love you as a son and watch you with the tenderest care; his only thou

altogether ignorant. A wife must follow her husband wherever he goes. If Gustave shall select another residence you must follow him and console yourself gradua

as he finished, her head fell heavily on her breast and tears streamed silently from

you sad; but you must become accust

uld not have an instant's rest, wherever I might be; conscience would cry aloud in my heart, 'Ungrateful and insensible child, thy father is abandoned to suffering and solitude!' Yes, I love Gustave; he is dearer to me than life itself, and I receive his hand

a dreadful thought; but, raising her large eyes, liquid

rrow,-of separating me from you! Oh, father, you do not know him; you do not know how much h

s about to utter some words of consolation, when suddenly Lenora sprang from hi

understand why his daughter had been so startled. His face assumed a more animated expression

ow goes it with you, my old friend? It seems that rogue, my nephew, has taken advantage of my absence." And, although De Vlierbec

That scamp hasn't bad taste, I must confess. He would have to make a long search before he found a handsomer or more amiable

t De Vlierbeck, nervous as he was, had considerable doubt as to the

business of our house topsy-turvy to-day to arrange matters with you. He tells me you have given your consent. That was kind of you, sir. I thought a great deal of this affair during my jour

marriage with Lenora?" said the old gentleman, pa

, sir?" said Denec

hing else to you, which ought to

his head with a la

me that Grinselhof don't belong to you and that you are poor! I hope, Monsieur De Vlierbeck,

im believe that he knew and credited all, and nevertheless responded to his nephew's hopes; but

d to what I am about to say. I am willing instantly to consent that my daughter shal

only child you must open your heart and your purse, my dear sir, and portion her according to your means. They say-pardon me

ous jokes. "For God's sake, sir," cried he, "spare me these bitter remarks.

, perhaps, that I have come here to ask some great sacrifice of you: but no, De Vlierbeck, thank God, I have no occasion to be so close in my calc

the poor gentleman, as he cle

uch more to him. I have no wish that Lenora's portion shall equal his. Your high birth, and especially your character, will make up what is wanting

sat riveted to his chair; but at

f your own intentions, know that Grinselhof and its dependencies are mortgaged beyond their value! It is useless to inform you of the origin of these debts. Let it suffice to repeat t

necker of its truth, it nevertheless failed to convince him. A degree of surprise displayed i

I confess that I am extremely anxious to spare Gustave the anxiety of delay. Give your daughter twenty-five thousand francs, with the understanding that the amount of her portion is to remain a secret; for I do

table, opened a closet with a trembling hand, and, taki

he; "read; con

anged, and at times he raised his head and looked upward, as if in deep thought. After he had been engaged fo

ry thing; for I have determined never again to be tortured. Besides the evidences of debt which are before you, I owe a bill of ex

g! I see by these documents that my notary is also yours; and, although I spoke

rock had fallen from his breast. His face resumed its

ny reason to doubt my poverty, let

urse falls to the ground. We will speak no more about it. What were your calculations, Monsieur De Vlierbeck? I think I am just beginning to see a li

chair in rage, "speak respectfully of my daughter

ded I would probably have admired you; but finesse against finesse always makes a bad game! Permit me to ask, since you are so to

fused his aged cheeks; nor did he awake from his painful

el

y. God endowed her with all the gifts that can adorn a woman. I hoped that her beauty, the

ut not for so common a person as a merchant,

unstudied. I thanked God daily in my prayers that he had cast in our path a savior for my child:-yes, a savior, I say; for Gustave is an honorable youth, who would have made her hap

ect, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, your enterprise has been unfortunate. I am a man who examin

tunate bankrupt to such a degree that he arose from

d let me remark, sir, that if I listen humbly to your reproaches-if I even acknowledge my fault-the sense of manhood is not dead in my soul. You talk of 'merchandise' and 'goods,' as if you came here to buy something! You allude to my Lenora, do

ery rays upon the merchant, who, alarmed by the loud words and animated gestures of De V

of us remains where he is; each keeps what he has, and the affair is at an end. I have but

ten me?" But, restraining himself almost instantly, he continued, with c

annot do business together, it seems; but th

Vlierbeck returned to the parlor, fell into his chair and covered his brow with both hands, as a heavy groan burst from his breast, which heaved with almost hysterical emotion. For

enora! She comes! my punishment is not yet complete! I must break the heart of my own child; I must tear from it all its hopes, blot out

and bleeding,-if despair devours thy soul,-oh, smile, still smile! Yes! your life has been a continual farce! Yet, miserable abortion that thou art, what cans

erbeck's efforts to disguise his suffering were unsuccessful, and Lenora soon read in his face that he was a prey to so

ll,-have you noth

not happy. God tries us with heavy blows.

ar?" said Lenora, beside herself. "Spe

efused it

ed the maiden; "i

e he possesses mill

ve is hopelessly lost to

y!" echoed

she tottered to the table an

obbing daughter, and, joining his uplift

egs of shame; I have emptied the cup of humiliation; but all, all are nothing in comparison with thy grief! Calm yourself, child of my love; let m

f his fall seemed instantly to recall Lenora to herself, and, dashing the tears from her ey

e his love forever! to lose the ha

exclaimed her fa

adful thought overwhelms me! While I am near you I will bless God for his kin

more closely to his heart, and r

remained locked in each other's arms until the very excess of grief