He was silent for a moment; but soon a spark of enthusiasm began to glisten in his eye and light up his face, as he exclaimed,-- "How can you ask me if I shall continue to love Lenora now that I know her to be poor?
It will be happiness enough for me to receive her as a wife, to be bound to her by the eternal bonds of love, to be forever within her reach, and to receive my happiness from her look and voice! What delight it will be for me to protect her and know that I have the privilege of working for her! Palace or hovel; riches or poverty, all are equally indifferent to me, provided her presence animates the spot! A night's reflection, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, cannot change my resolution.

Grant me Lenora's hand, and I will thank you on my knees for the priceless gift!" "And suppose I do," replied the old gentleman; "generosity and constancy are natural to the ardent character of youth:--but your uncle ?" "My uncle!" murmured Gustave, with evident grief; "that is true; I need his consent.

All I possess or ever shall possess in the world depends on his affection for me.

I am the orphan son of his brother.

He adopted me as his child and has overwhelmed me with kindness.