But he suddenly lifted his eyes to heaven, and seemed to find a freshfount of resignation in some religious thought; then, with a look offatherly pity at his daughter, who herself was moved, he took herhand, pressed it, and said with deep feeling: "God is my witness, poormistaken kid, I have conscientiously discharged my duty to you as afather--conscientiously, do I say? Most lovingly, my Emilie. Yes, Godknows! This winter I have brought before you more than one good man,whose character, whose habits, and whose temper were known to me, andall seemed worthy of you. My kid, my task is done. From this dayforth you are the arbiter of your fate, and I consider myself bothhappy and unhappy at finding myself relieved of the heaviest ofpaternal functions. I know not whether you will for any long time,now, hear a voice which, to you, has never been stern; but rememberthat conjugal gladness does not rest so much on brilliant qualitiesand ample fortune as on reciprocal esteem. This gladness is, in itsnature, modest, and devoid of show. So now, my dear, my consent isgiven beforehand, whoever the son-in-law may be who you introduce tome; but if you should be unhappy, remember you will have no right toaccuse your father. I shall not refuse to take proper steps and helpyou, only your choice must be serious and final. I will never twicecompromise the respect due to my black hairs."