"Oh, yes, the tenderest, most devoted father's," exclaimed the girl, earnestly.
"Then why should you not take my name?" asked the marquis, with a winning smile. "You have already promised that your son, if you have one, shall bear this name. Besides, are you not by your attachment to me, and by my affection for you, my adopted child? Then why should you not sign this contract as my adopted daughter?"
"I, monsieur?" exclaimed Herminie, unable to believe her own ears. "I your adopted daughter?"
"Yes; think of my audacity. I am famed for it, you know. I even had you so designated in the marriage contract."
"What do you say, monsieur?"
"Tell me," added the hunchback, with tears in his eyes, and in his most persuasive tones, "tell me, do you not think I have justly earned the great happiness of being able to say to every one, 'This is my daughter?' Will you refuse to honour still more, by bearing it, an ever honoured name?"
"Ah, monsieur," said Herminie, unable to restrain her tears, "such kindness as yours—"
"Then sign at once, you obstinate child," said the marquis, smiling, though his eyes were full of tears, "or else our friends here will perhaps imagine that a beautiful and charming creature like you is ashamed to have a poor hunchback like me even for an adopted father."
"Ah, such a thought as that—" exclaimed Herminie, quickly.
"Then sign, sign at once!" urged the marquis.