emily smiled through her tears upon her father: 'dear sir,' said she, and her voice trembled; she would have added, 'i will shew myself worthy of being your daughter;' but a mingled emotion of gratitude, affection, and grief overcame her.st.aubert suffered her to weep without interruption, and then began to talk on common topics.
the first person who came to condole with st.aubert was a m.
barreaux, an austere and seemingly unfeeling man.a taste for botany had introduced them to each other, for they had frequently met in their wanderings among the mountains.m.barreaux had retired from the world, and almost from society, to live in a pleasant chateau, on the skirts of the woods, near la vallee.he also had been disappointed in his opinion of mankind; but he did not, like st.
aubert, pity and mourn for them; he felt more indignation at their vices, than compassion for their weaknesses.
st.aubert was somewhat surprised to see him; for, though he had often pressed him to come to the chateau, he had never till now accepted the invitation; and now he came without ceremony or reserve, entering the parlour as an old friend.the claims of misfortune appeared to have softened down all the ruggedness and prejudices of his heart.st.aubert unhappy, seemed to be the sole idea that occupied his mind.it was in manners, more than in words, that he appeared to sympathize with his friends: he spoke little on the subject of their grief; but the minute attention he gave them, and the modulated voice, and softened look that accompanied it, came from his heart, and spoke to theirs.