The daughter was a beautiful girl, and promised to
realize all the fond expectations of her father. Her daily education and
method of life, as directed by her father, were better calculated to fit
her for the occupancy of a nun's cell than for rational society.
About five years previous to the time of our story, the solemn quiet of
Dr. Vaudelier's dwelling was disturbed by the arrival of a young French
gentleman, bearing letters of introduction to the misanthropic
physician. This gentleman was delighted with the daughter of his host,
and she experienced a before unknown pleasure in his society. The doctor
was, to some extent, obliged to abandon the "pleasures of melancholy,"
and accompany the young couple into the world.
This intimacy between the young persons rapidly ripened into love. Dr.
Vaudelier's inquiries into the character and circumstances of the young
gentleman were not satisfactory, and he refused to sanction the union.
Perhaps he was influenced more in this decision by the dread of parting
with his daughter than by any other motive.
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