You know perfectly well that I do not wish to marry; I cannot give my hand without my heart, and my heart is not mine to give." "But you will talk very differently, I do assure you, my dear little sister, when you see the husband I have chosen for you." "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." As he pronounced this name, which she at first believed to be a jest on her brother's part, Isabelle started, trembled violently, and then glanced up timidly at the newcomer.
When she saw that Vallombreuse had not deceived her, that it was really he, her own true lover, standing there before her, she turned deathly pale, and had nearly fallen from her chair; then the quick reaction came, and a most lovely blush spread itself all over her fair face, and even her snowy neck, as far as it could be seen.

Without a word, she sprang up, and throwing her arms round her brother's neck hid her face on his shoulder, while two or three convulsive sobs shook her slender frame and a little shower of tears fell from her eyes.