"You see, my child, that my predictions are fulfilled—believe me when I say, 'Hope.'"
"Ah! monseigneur, are you then an angel come down to earth to stand to me in the place of the father whom I have lost?"
"Alas," said the regent, smiling. "I am not an angel, my dear Helene; but such as I am, I will indeed be to you a father, and a tender one."
Saying this, the regent took Helene's hand, and was about to kiss it respectfully, but she raised her head and presented her forehead to him.
"I see that you love him truly," said he.
"Monseigneur, I bless you."
"May your blessing bring me happiness," said the regent, then, going down to his carriage—
"To the Palais Royal," said he, "but remember you have only a quarter of an hour to drive to Monceaux."
The horses flew along the road.
As the carriage entered under the peristyle, a courier on horseback was setting out.