As his child, he assured her, he should pray for her happiness, as a heretic, for her conversion; but he relinquished the authority of a father, which his profession forbade him to exercise, and left her to the guidance of her own conscience.

From that time, Lucie had neither seen nor heard from him; but solicitude for his fate pressed heavily on her heart, and she shed many secret and bitter tears for her unfortunate parent.
Soon after the death of Madame de la Tour, Lucie removed her residence to the cottage of Annette.

The fort was no longer a suitable or pleasant abode for her.Mons.de la Tour disregarded the wishes which his lady had expressed in her last illness,--that Lucie might be allowed to follow her own inclinations,--and renewed his endeavours to force her into a marriage with De Valette.

But his threats and persuasions were both firmly resisted, and proved equally ineffectual to accomplish his purpose.

De Valette, indeed, had too much pride and generosity to urge his suit after a decided rejection; and he was vexed by his uncle's selfish pertinacity.