"
"Is Count Albert Styvens of the Legation any relation of hers?"
"Yes, father, he is her son. But why do you ask that?"
"Your godfather spoke to me of this young man, who, it seems, wants to
complete his studies in philosophy."
The poor little star trembled. She was on the point of confessing all
her presentiments, her terrors, to her father.... But he had just sat
down to his desk and seemed already indifferent to what was going on
around him. She went softly out of the library, following her mother,
who was bearing away the newspaper excerpts and the royal jewel cases.
In the beautiful house which Countess Styvens occupied with her son,
an animated discussion was taking place at the same moment between
Baron von Berger and Count Albert.
"I advise you, my boy," the Baron was saying brusquely, "to ask for
another post. You, so sensible, too sensible, for a man of your age,
in fact it's a little ridiculous...."
"That has nothing to do with it," returned the younger man coolly.
"All very well, but my quasi-paternal duty is to stop you before
certain danger. You admit that you adore this young star of seventeen,
the daughter of a philosopher of high standing. You do not intend, I
suppose, to make her your mistress?"
Albert Styvens felt the blood run into his temples, but he did not
answer.
The Baron continued, more determinedly, "You do not intend to propose
her as a daughter-in-law to your mother?"
For an instant a vertigo froze the young man's being.
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