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The Marquis attempted to rise at their entrance, but neither his strength nor spirits seconded the effort, and faint and almost breathless he sunk back upon his chair.
St. Julian and Madeline knelt before him.
"Let the blessing of a father, (said St. Julian in a solemn voice) at length rejoice my heart."
The Marquis raised his venerable head—
"I am too unworthy to dare to give it (he exclaimed); but may heaven bless you, may all that can render life desirable be your's, long, long after I am laid within that grave where I now wish to shroud my sorrows and my shame!"
"Oh, my father (cried St. Julian, penetrated by his language), speak not so again; wish not again to deprive your son of an in-
