"I know very well that you love Lenora, and that she is not insensible to your affection for her.

But what have you to propose to me ?" Gustave replied, dejectedly,--"If I still doubt your approval, after all the marks of esteem you have given me, it is because I fear you do not consider me worthy the happiness I have sought.

I have no ancestral tree whose roots are buried in the past; the good deeds of my forefathers do not shine in history; the blood that runs in my veins comes from a common stock." "Do you think," said De Vlierbeck, interrupting him, "that I was ignorant of all this from the first day of our acquaintance?
No Gustave; no matter what your lineage may be, your own heart is generous and noble; and, had it not been so, I would never have esteemed and treated you as my son." "And so," exclaimed Gustave, catching at the last words with a burst of joyous impatience, "you don't refuse me Lenora's hand ?--you will interpose no objection, provided my uncle gives his consent ?" "No," replied De Vlierbeck; "I shall not refuse it to you.

On the contrary, it will give me unbounded happiness to intrust the fate of my only child to your keeping.

And yet there is an obstacle of which you have no idea." "An obstacle!" exclaimed Gustave, growing pale;--"an obstacle between Lenora and me ?" "Be silent a moment," said De Vlierbeck, "and listen to the explanation I shall give you.