"Oh, you know not what sacrifice Clémence herself would have made, for she was aware of the full extent of my duties to you!"
"Duties to me! What have I done to deserve so much goodness?"
"Until the moment that Heaven restored you to me, your life had been one of sorrow and misery, and I reproach myself with your sufferings as if I had caused them, and when I see you happy, it seems to me I am forgiven. My only wish, my sole aim, is to render you as happy as you were before unhappy, to exalt you as you have been abased, for the last trace of your humiliation must disappear when you see the noblest in the land vie with each other who shall show you most respect."
"Respect to me! Oh, no! It is to my rank and not to myself they show respect."
"It is to you, dear child,—it is to you!"
"You love me so much, dear father, that every one thinks to please you by showing me respect."
"Oh, naughty child!" cried Rodolph, tenderly kissing his daughter; "she will not cede anything to my paternal pride."
"Is not your pride satisfied at my attributing the kindness I receive to you only?"
"No, that is not the same thing; I cannot be proud of myself, but of you. You are ignorant of your own merits; in fifteen months your education has been so perfected that the most enthusiastic mother would be proud of you."
At this moment the door of the salon opened, and Clémence, grand duchess of Gerolstein, entered, holding a letter in her hand.