"My father! Is he alive?"
"Yes."
"Shall I ever see him?"
"Perhaps."
"Oh!" said Helene, pressing the stranger's hand, "I bless you for bringing me this news."
"Dear child!" said he.
"But if he be alive," said Helene, "why has he not sought out his child?"
"He had news of you every month; and though at a distance, watched over you."
"And yet," said Helene, reproachfully, "he has not seen me for sixteen years."
"Believe me, none but the most important reasons would have induced him to deprive himself of this pleasure."