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32 interested in it, and will welcome your husband and give him an honoured place in his favour and esteem. You two are destined to do great things for Morvaix."

"Please God it may be so," returned Gabrielle earnestly. "But to take a husband I have never seen is" The sentence ended in another gesture as hopeless as the first.

"I have made many searching inquiries concerning him, Gabrielle. A handsome gallant and as brave and fearless as comely."

"It may be for the best," she said lifelessly.

"It must and will be for the best," he returned. "To-morrow you will hear from the Duke how he proposes to honour the man of your choice."

"Choice?" echoed Gabrielle, catching at the word.

"Yes, choice; what else? Whom else in Morvaix would you choose? You would not choose to disobey your dear mother's last earthly wish. And the obligations of a girl placed as you are at the head of a house such as ours might well have compelled a marriage with a far less welcome groom. I could tell you of scores of such ill-fated unions. Keep a light heart, child; for you may face the future fearlessly—a brilliant future too."

"I am foolish and rebellious at times, I know. But I am not unmindful of my duty to my house," she said proudly.

"Spoken like a Malincourt; like my sainted sister's own child. Keep that face for the Governor to-morrow, Gabrielle. Smile to him and upon him, and the rule of Morvaix and all in it will be inspired by your gentle heart."

And with that thought he deemed it judicious to end the interview.