Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 2).djvu/146

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his father himself, he yet wished, if possible, to keep him from the censures of the world.

"The opportunity he desired occurred upon the King's determining upon a crusade; for it was natural, you know, that a youth of his prowess should wish to embark in so glorious a cause. He accordingly repaired, without delay, to the royal standard, and bade an adieu to his native country.

"His only regret, at doing so, was occasioned by his separation from a young lady, whom he had privately made his wife, and by whom he had a son, then some months old. She was an orphan, and the descendant of a good, but reduced family. He saw her at the house of the relation's, to whose care she had been consigned, and who, not caring to be burdened with her, determined to settle her in a cloister. They did not know each other long, ere a mutual attachment grew between them; and well knowing it would be vain to solicit his father's consent, or her relations, for fear of disobliging him, he stole her away, and, after their