My recollection of it shall depend upon yours; I will endeavour to forget, or to recollect it, as you may do.Let us join the Count.'--'Tell me first,' said Valancourt, 'that you forgive the uneasiness Ihave occasioned you, this evening, and that you will still love me.'--'I sincerely forgive you,' replied Emily.'You best know whether Ishall continue to love you, for you know whether you deserve my esteem.At present, I will believe that you do.It is unnecessary to say,' added she, observing his dejection, 'how much pain it would give me to believe otherwise.--The young lady, who approaches, is the Count's daughter.'
Valancourt and Emily now joined the Lady Blanche; and the party, soon after, sat down with the Count, his son, and the Chevalier Du Pont, at a banquet, spread under a gay awning, beneath the trees.At the table also were seated several of the most venerable of the Count's tenants, and it was a festive repast to all but Valancourt and Emily.
When the Count retired to the chateau, he did not invite Valancourt to accompany him, who, therefore, took leave of Emily, and retired to his solitary inn for the night: meanwhile, she soon withdrew to her own apartment, where she mused, with deep anxiety and concern, on his behaviour, and on the Count's reception of him.Her attention was thus so wholly engaged, that she forgot Dorothee and her appointment, till morning was far advanced, when, knowing that the good old woman would not come, she retired, for a few hours, to repose.
On the following day, when the Count had accidentally joined Emily in one of the walks, they talked of the festival of the preceding evening, and this led him to a mention of Valancourt.'That is a young man of talents,' said he; 'you were formerly acquainted with him, I perceive.' Emily said, that she was.'He was introduced to me, at Paris,' said the Count, 'and I was much pleased with him, on our first acquaintance.' He paused, and Emily trembled, between the desire of hearing more and the fear of shewing the Count, that she felt an interest on the subject.'May I ask,' said he, at length, 'how long you have known Monsieur Valancourt?'--'Will you allow me to ask your reason for the question, sir?' said she; 'and I will answer it immediately.'--'Certainly,' said the Count, 'that is but just.Iwill tell you my reason.I cannot but perceive, that Monsieur Valancourt admires you; in that, however, there is nothing extraordinary; every person, who sees you, must do the same.I am above using common-place compliments; I speak with sincerity.What Ifear, is, that he is a favoured admirer.'--'Why do you fear it, sir?'
said Emily, endeavouring to conceal her emotion.--'Because,' replied the Count, 'I think him not worthy of your favour.' Emily, greatly agitated, entreated further explanation.'I will give it,' said he, 'if you will believe, that nothing but a strong interest in your welfare could induce me to hazard that assertion.'--'I must believe so, sir,' replied Emily.
'But let us rest under these trees,' said the Count, observing the paleness of her countenance; 'here is a seat--you are fatigued.'
They sat down, and the Count proceeded.'Many young ladies, circumstanced as you are, would think my conduct, on this occasion, and on so short an acquaintance, impertinent, instead of friendly;from what I have observed of your temper and understanding, I do not fear such a return from you.Our acquaintance has been short, but long enough to make me esteem you, and feel a lively interest in your happiness.You deserve to be very happy, and I trust that you will be so.' Emily sighed softly, and bowed her thanks.The Count paused again.'I am unpleasantly circumstanced,' said he; 'but an opportunity of rendering you important service shall overcome inferior considerations.Will you inform me of the manner of your first acquaintance with the Chevalier Valancourt, if the subject is not too painful?'
Emily briefly related the accident of their meeting in the presence of her father, and then so earnestly entreated the Count not to hesitate in declaring what he knew, that he perceived the violent emotion, against which she was contending, and, regarding her with a look of tender compassion, considered how he might communicate his information with least pain to his anxious auditor.
