"Refused it, because he possesses millions and we—nothing!"
"It is true, then? Gustave is hopelessly lost to me!—lost to me forever!
"Hopelessly!" echoed the father.
A sharp cry escaped Lenora as she tottered to the table and fell on it, weeping bitterly.
De Vlierbeck arose and stood above his sobbing daughter, and, joining his uplifted hands, exclaimed, in suppliant tones,—
"Oh, pity me, pity me, Lenora! In that fatal interview I have suffered all the torments that could rack the heart of a parent; I have drunk the dregs of shame; I have emptied the cup of humiliation; but all, all are nothing in comparison with thy grief! Calm yourself, child of my love; let me see the sweet face I so love to look on; let me regain my lost strength in thy holy resignation! Lenora! my head swims; I shall die of despair!"
As he uttered these words he sank heavily into a chair, overpowered by emotion. The sound of his fall seemed instantly to recall Lenora to herself, and, dashing the tears from her eyes, she leaned her head on his shoulder to listen and assure herself that he had not fainted.
"Never to see him more! to renounce his love forever! to lose the happiness I dreamed of! Alas! alas!"
"Lenora! Lenora!" exclaimed her father, entreatingly!
"Oh, beloved father," sobbed the poor girl, "to lose Gustave forever! The dreadful thought overwhelms me! While I am near you I will bless God for his kindness; but my tears overpower me; oh! let me weep, let me weep, I beseech you!"