University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.
THE SECRET.

`She loves you!' cried Maurice, breaking
abruptly into the apartment of Ernest
Clairet—`she loves you!'

`Who?' demanded Ernest, his eyes sparkling
with joy—`you cannot mean—'

`Marie Duval—none other, I assure you,
dear Ernest.'

`But how is it possible—dear Maurice!'
murmured Ernest, clasping his friend warmly
by the hand; and he added, after a pause
`are you sure of what you say?'

`I have not a doubt.'

`But how did you learn such joyful
news?'

`I beg your pardon, Ernest,' said Maurice,
`for having been guilty of an indiscretion;
and I am sure you will forgive me
when I tell you all—my motives and my
success.'

`What do you mean?' cried Ernest turning
pale.

Maurice took his friend's hand, and related
all that had passed between him and
Marie Duval. Ernest listened eagerly, but
the intelligence seemed to cause him less
pleasure than pain. As his friend concluded,
his brows gathered darkly, and his features
became pale with agitation.

`Maurice,' he said in broken accents,
`you have done wrong—but you thought to
do me a service, and I forgive you—thank
you!'

`Morbleu!' exclaimed Manrice, astonished;
`are you mad? Explain yourself.'

`Not mad!' returned Ernest with a melancholy
smile, `but unfortunate. The
thought of being beloved by Marie Duval
would make my heart leap for joy, did I not
look upon our union as next to impossible.
As it is, the thrill of pleasure is accompanied
with a thrill of pain!'

Maurice was more astonished than before.

`Explain, for heaven's sake, Ernest!' he
exclaimed. `What mystery is this?—
Marie loves you—you love her—you are on
an equal footing in society—what is there
to prevent your union?'

`Prejudice!' replied Ernest.

`How prejudice?'

`Maurice,' said the adopted son of M.
Clairet, sadly. `I can never possess the
hand of Marie Duval without first revealing
the secret of my birth; and that once
known to her father, he is too proud to accept
me as a member of his family. True
I might perhaps marry her without revealing
the secret, but it would be a dishonorable
act. Alas! I feel that it were better
had Marie never known of my unhappy passion,
which I have long regarded as hopeless,
while yet I have allowed it to prey upon
my heart!'

As Ernest spoke strange thoughts crowded
the bosom of his friend. Curiosity to
know the mystery to which Ernest alluded,
pity for his unfortunate position, and bitter
reflections with regard to his own hopeless
passion for Marie, were mingled confusedly
in his breast.

`Ernest,' he said, after a pause, `may I
ask as a friend and adviser, the secret which
you say prevents your union with Marie?'

`Have you not divined it?'

`How could I?'

`Do you not remember hearing me speak
of one Laurence Belfont?'

`Of him you have sworn to punish—'

`The same.'

`And who is he?' asked Maurice.

`My father!' answered Ernest, covering
his face with his hands.

Maurice started back with a shudder of
horror.

`Your father—and you have sworn to
take his life—'

`I have sworn to be revenged on him!'
said Ernest, firmly; for betraying Virginie
Lordilliere, my mother, and for abandoning
her, and me, the offspring of her shame!'

Maurice regarded his friend with astonishment.
He had never suspected the secret
of his birth, and now the news came
like a clap of thunder.

`You are surprised,' said Ernest with a
sad smile, `and perhaps you hate me now
that you know my life began in infamy.'

`Ernest!' exclaimed the other, reproachfully,
grasping his hand; `you wrong me
with such suspicions. I know the generosity
of your heart—the nobility of your nature,
and care not for the rest.'

`You are above prejudice, Maurice,' exclaimed
Ernest, warmly, tears of gratitude
glistening in his eyes; `but they—Marie
and her father—'

His voice was choked with emotion, and
he was unable to proceed.

`Despair not,' said his companion. `If
you deem it your duty to reveal the secret
to them, do it boldly, as it is your custom to
do every thing else, and I doubt not but
they will be ready to overlook the circumstances
of your birth.'

`Ah! if I could only hope that M. Duval
would prove as noble-hearted as you!' exclaimed
Ernest. `But you must consider
that I scarcely know him; and how can I
except that he will regard me with favor?'

`Then we will leave it to time to teach
him the generosity of your nature; and then
if he be a man of reason, he will put aside
all prejudice. Only do not despair.'

So saying, Maurice embraced his friend,
and they parted.