Shedreamed，reflected，puzzled，wept，consumedbyfearsandsuspicions。Thenherjoyousyoungsoulreassuringitself，shebegantoplananadventure，toimagineanabnormalanddramaticsituation，foundedontherecollectionsofallthepoeticalromancesshehadread。Sherecalledallthemovingcatastrophes，orsadandtouchingstories；shejumbledthemtogether，andconcoctedastoryofherownwithwhichsheinterpretedthehalf-understoodmysterywhichenvelopedherlife。
Shewasnolongercastdown。Shedreamed，sheliftedveils，sheimaginedunlikelycomplications，athousandsingular，terriblethings，seductive，nevertheless，bytheirverystrangeness。Couldshebe，bychance，thenaturaldaughterofaprince？Hadherpoormother，betrayedanddeserted，madeMarquisebysomeking，perhapsKingVictorEmmanuel，beenobligedtotakeflightbeforetheangerofthefamily？Wasshenotratherachildabandonedbyitsrelations，whowerenobleandillustrious，thefruitofaclandestinelove，takeninbytheMarquise，whohadadoptedandbroughtherup？
Stillothersuppositionspassedthroughhermind。Sheacceptedorrejectedthemaccordingtothedictatesofherfancy。Shewasmovedtopityoverherowncase，happyatthebottomofherheart，andsadalso，takingasortofsatisfactioninbecomingasortofaheroineofabookwhomust:assumeanobleattitude，worthyofherself。
Shelaidoutthepartshemustplay，accordingtoeventsatwhichsheguessed。Shevaguelyoutlinedthisrole，likeoneofScribe\'sorofGeorgeSand\'s。Itshouldbeenduedwithdevotion，self-
abnegation，greatnessofsoul，tenderness；andfinewords。Herpliantnaturealmostrejoicedinthisnewattitude。Sheponderedalmosttilleveningwhatsheshoulddo，wonderinghowsheshouldmanagetowrestthetruthfromtheMarquise。