Although said in a low voice, these words, pronounced in a tone of sincere and holy fervor, reached the ears of Murphy and the prince. The latter raised his head quickly at the moment Clémence arose from the ground. It is impossible to describe the look, action, and expression of Rudolph, on contemplating Madame d'Harville, whose charming features, stamped with a celestial joy, shone at this moment with superhuman beauty. Leaning with one hand on the marble table, and compressing with the other the rapid pulsations of her heart, she gave an affirmative nod of the head in answer to a look from Rudolph, which once more we are unable to describe.
Save for the presence of Murphy, who, quick as lightning, threw himself before Rudolph, he would have rushed at once to the street.
"My lord, you would kill her!" cried the squire, holding back the prince.
"Only since yesterday she is convalescent. For her life, no imprudence, my lord," added Clémence.
"You are right," said Rudolph, restraining himself with difficulty; "you are right--I will be calm--I will not see her yet--I will wait--let my first emotions be controlled. Ah! it is too much--too much in one day!" added he, in a broken voice. Then, addressing Madame d'Harville, and extending his hand toward her, he cried, with a burst of inexpressible gratitude, "I am pardoned! You are the angel of mercy!"
"Your highness restored to me my father--Heaven willed that I should bring back your child," answered Clémence. "But, in my turn, I ask your pardon for my weakness. This revelation--so sudden, so unexpected--has confused me. I confess that I have not the courage to go for Fleur-de-Marie--my agitation would alarm her."
"And how was she saved?" cried Rudolph. "See my ingratitude. I have not yet asked you this question."
"At the moment she was drowning, she was rescued from a watery grave by a courageous woman."
"The debt is immense," said the prince, "but I shall know how to pay it."
"What a happy circumstance, my God! that I did not bring Fleur-de-Marie with me," said the marchioness; "this scene would have been fatal to her."
"It is true, madame," said Murphy; "it is a providential chance that she is not here."
"Now," said the prince, who had for a few moments been endeavoring to conquer his emotions, "now I have self-command, I assure you. Murphy, go and seek _my daughter._" These words, _my daughter_, were pronounced by the prince with an accent we will not attempt to express.