The marquis replied that he was not aware that his daughter had any affection for Rupert beyond the regard which an acquaintance of many years authorized; and that as he was sure the news would in no way overcome her aversion to the match with the Duc de Carolan, he must still decline to name the place where he might suspect that she had hidden herself.

He heard nothing more for some months; and then the governor told him privately that the duke was dead, and that as it was thought that Lille would be besieged, two or three other officers in the Bastille had petitioned for leave to go to aid in the defence.  Had the duke still lived, the governor was sure that any such request on the part of the marquis would have been refused.  As it was, however, his known military skill and bravery would be so useful in the defence, that it was possible that the king would now consent.  The marquis had therefore applied for, and had received, permission to go to aid in the defence of Lille.

Rupert then told his story, which excited the wonder and admiration of the marquis to the highest point.  When he concluded, he said: 

“And now, monsieur le marquis, I must say what I have never said before, because until I travelled with her down to Poitiers I did not know what my own feelings really were.  Then I learned to know that which I felt was not a mere brotherly affection, but a deep love.  I know that neither in point of fortune nor in rank am I the equal of mademoiselle; but I love her truly, sir, and the Chace, which will some day be mine, will at least enable me to maintain her in comfort.

“Monsieur le marquis, may I ask of you the hand of your daughter?”

“You may indeed, my dear Rupert,” the marquis said warmly, taking his hand.  “Even when in England the possibility that this might some day come about occurred to me; and although then I should have regretted Adele’s marrying an Englishman, yet I saw in your character the making of a man to whom I could safely entrust her happiness.  When we met again, I found that you had answered my expectation of you, and I should not have allowed so great an intimacy to spring up between you had I not been willing that she should, if she so wished it, marry you.

“I no longer wish her to settle in France.  After what I have seen of your free England, the despotism of our kings and the feudal power of our nobles disgust me, and I foresee that sooner or later a terrible upheaval will take place.  What Adele herself will say I do not know, but imagine that she will not be so obstinate in refusing to yield to the wishes of her father as she has been to the commands of her king.

“But she will not bring you a fortune, Rupert.  If she marries you, her estates will assuredly be forfeited by the crown.  They are so virtually now, royal receivers having been placed in possession, but they will be formally declared forfeited on her marriage with you.  However, she will not come to you a dowerless bride.  In seven years I have laid by sufficient to enable me to give her a dowry which will add a few farms to the Chace.