an assurance it is impossible you can have from your total ignorance of my son."
"Hopes which cannot be realized, cannot be too soon suppressed," exclaimed Madeline.
"And why, without knowing him, can you be so determined on destroying his hopes? (asked D'Alembert). Only see him—only hear him,—and then reject, if then you can disapprove."
"Was your son (said Madeline) all that the most romantic imagination can conceive of perfection, I would reject him."
"You would!" exclaimed D'Alembert, dropping her hand.
"I would," repeated Madeline.
"Did you ever hear aught against him?" demanded he, again catching her hand, and looking steadily upon her.
"Even supposing any thing could be alleged against him (replied Madeline, wishing to evade this question), in the family of his wife and mother-in-law, was it likely,
