Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/126

 "Our loss (resumed Clermont) is great indeed, but our grief is selfish: death to her was a removal to unutterable felicity; stem therefore these strong emotions in pity to me, check them, remember you are my only earthly consolation, the only prop I have to rest on."

"Alas! (sighed Madeline) how frail a prop!" She took his hand, she pressed it to her lips. "My father (she said) be assured no effort on my part shall be wanting to fulfil your expectations, and heaven I doubt not will strengthen the feeble hands and calm the agitated mind of her who prays to it for fortitude and composure to be enabled to perform its incumbent duties."

"Yes, my child, (cried Clermont embracing her) heaven always assists the virtuous."

He now inquired to what circumstance he owed her unexpected return, as in her last letter she had given no intimation of it. Madeline, without entering into the particulars