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silence； the half…melancholy reserve of his manner； and the respectful
attentions he paid to his uncle。
Those who saw the young man as he watched the uncertain steps of the
old abbe； and altered his own to suit their devious course； looking
for obstructions that might trip his uncle's feet and guiding him to a
smoother way； could not fail to recognize in Emmanuel de Solis the
generous nature which makes the human being a divine creation。 There
was something noble in the love that never criticised his uncle； in
the obedience that never cavilled at the old man's orders； it seemed
as though there were prophecy in the gracious name his godmother had
given him。 When the abbe gave proof of his Dominican despotism； in
their own home or in the presence of others； Emmanuel would sometimes
lift his head with so much dignity； as if to assert his metal should
any other man assail him； that men of honor were moved at the sight
like artists before a glorious picture； for noble sentiments ring as
loudly in the soul from living incarnations as from the imagery of
art。
Emmanuel had accompanied his uncle when the latter came to examine the
pictures of the House of Claes。 Hearing from Martha that the Abbe de
Solis was in the gallery； Marguerite； anxious to see so celebrated a
man； invented an excuse to join her mother and gratify her curiosity。
Entering hastily； with the heedless gaiety young girls assume at times
to hide their wishes； she encountered near the old abbe； clothed in
black and looking decrepit and cadaverous； the fresh； delightful face
of a young man。 The naive glances of the youthful pair expressed their
mutual astonishment。 Marguerite and Emmanuel had no doubt seen each
other in their dreams。 Both lowered their eyes and raised them again
with one impulse； each； by the action； made the same avowal。
Marguerite took her mother's arm； and spoke to her to cover her
confusion and find shelter under the maternal wing； turning her neck
with a swan…like motion to keep sight of Emmanuel； who still supported
his uncle on his arm。 The light was cleverly arranged to give due
value to the pictures； and the half…obscurity of the gallery
encouraged those furtive glances which are the joy of timid natures。
Neither went so far； even in thought； as the first note of love； yet
both felt the mysterious trouble which stirs the heart； and is
jealously kept secret in our youth from fastidiousness or modesty。
The first impression which forces a sensibility hitherto suppressed to
overflow its borders； is followed in all young people by the same
half…stupefied amazement which the first sounds of music produce upon
a child。 Some children laugh and think； others do not laugh till they
have thought； but those whose hearts are called to live by poetry or
love； listen stilly and hear the melody with a look where pleasure
flames already； and the search for the infinite begins。 If； from an
irresistible feeling； we love the places where our childhood first
perceived the beauties of harmony； if we remember with delight the
musician； and even the instrument； that taught them to us； how much
more shall we love the being who reveals to us the music of life？ The
first heart in which we draw the breath of love；is it not our home；
our native land？ Marguerite and Emmanuel were； each to each； that
Voice of music which wakes a sense； that hand which lifts the misty
veil； and reveals the distant shores bathed in the fires of noonday。
When Madame Claes paused before a picture by Guido representing an
angel； Marguerite bent forward to see the impression it made upon
Emmanuel； and Emmanuel looked at Marguerite to compare the mute
thought on the canvas with the living thought beside him。 This
involuntary and delightful homage was understood and treasured。 The
old abbe gravely praised the picture； and Madame Claes answered him；
but the youth and the maiden were silent。
Such was their first meeting： the mysterious light of the picture
gallery； the stillness of the old house； the presence of their elders；
all contributed to trace upon their hearts the delicate lines of this
vaporous mirage。 The many confused thoughts that surged in
Marguerite's mind grew calm and lay like a limpid ocean traversed by a
luminous ray when Emmanuel murmured a few farewell words to Madame
Claes。 That voice； whose fresh and mellow tone sent nameless delights
into her heart； completed the revelation that had come to her；a
revelation which Emmanuel； were he able； should cherish to his own
profit； for it often happens that the man whom destiny employs to
waken love in the heart of a young girl is ignorant of his work and
leaves it unfinished。 Marguerite bowed confusedly； her true farewell
was in the glance which seemed unwilling to lose so pure and lovely a
vision。 Like a child she wanted her melody。 Their parting took place
at the foot of the old staircase near the parlor； and when Marguerite
re…entered the room she watched the uncle and the nephew till the
street…door closed upon them。
Madame Claes had been so occupied with the serious matters which
caused her conference with the abbe that she did not on this occasion
observe her daughter's manner。 When Monsieur de Solis came again to
the house on the occasion of her illness； she was too violently
agitated to notice the color that rushed into Marguerite's face and
betrayed the tumult of a virgin heart conscious of its first joy。 By
the time the old abbe was announced； Marguerite had taken up her
sewing and appeared to give it such attention that she bowed to the
uncle and nephew without looking at them。 Monsieur Claes mechanically
returned their salutation and left the room with the air of a man
called away by his occupations。 The good Dominican sat down beside
Madame Claes and looked at her with one of those searching glances by
which he penetrated the minds of others； the sight of Monsieur Claes
and his wife was enough to make him aware of a catastrophe。
〃My children；〃 said the mother； 〃go into the garden； Marguerite； show
Emmanuel your father's tulips。〃
Marguerite； half abashed； took Felicie's arm and looked at the young
man； who blushed and caught up little Jean to cover his confusion。
When all four were in the garden； Felicie and Jean ran to the other
side； leaving Marguerite； who； conscious that she was alone with young
de Solis； led him to the pyramid of tulips； arranged precisely in the
same manner year after year by Lemulquinier。
〃Do you love tulips？〃 asked Marguerite； after standing for a moment in
deep silence；a silence Emmanuel seemed little disposed to break。
〃Mademoiselle； these flowers are beautiful； but to love them we must
perhaps have a taste of them； and know how to understand their
beauties。 They dazzle me。 Constant study in the gloomy little chamber
in which I live； close to my uncle； makes me prefer those flowers that
are softer to the eye。〃
Saying these words he glanced at Marguerit