"
"The whole business seems very mysterious, Gustave."
"Perhaps; it has to do with a secret which I am pledged to keep. I will
not allow your father to lead me into any quagmire of speculation,
believe me, dear one."
After this they went back to Omega Street in the winter gloaming, and
Diana loved and admired this man with all her heart and mind. A new life
lay before her, very bright and fair. There, where had been only the
barren desert, was now a fair landscape, shining in the sunlight of hope.
"Do you think your children will ever love me, Gustave?" she asked, not
without some sense of wonder that this impulsive light-hearted lover
should be the owner of children. She fancied that a responsibility so
grave as paternity must needs have impressed some stamp of solemnity upon
the man who bore it.
"Ever love thee!" cried Gustave. "Child, they will adore thee. They ask
only some one to love. Their hearts are gardens of flowers; and thou
shalt gather the flowers. But wilt thou be happy at Cotenoir, thou? It is
somewhat sad, perhaps--the grave old chateau with the long sombre
corridors. But thou shalt choose new furniture, new garnitures at Rouen,
and we will make all bright and gay, like the heart of thy affianced Thou
wilt not be dull?"
"Dull, with you and yours! I shall thank God for my happy home day and
night, as I never thought to thank Him a few months ago, when I was
dissatisfied, wicked, tired of my life.
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