She took leave of her most cherished and ambitious dream--
bade farewell to her future of regal pomp and splendor.
"Yes, sire, I have found an e'poitseur, who only needs
encouragement, to offer me his heart and hand."
"Is he of good family?"
"Yes, sire."
"Military?"
"Yes, sire. He wears only a captain's epaulets. Your majesty sees
that I am modest."
"On the day of his marriage he shall be major. When the Church
pronounces her blessing, the king's blessing shall not be wanting.
We are, of course, agreed. When will you be engaged?"
"Sire, that depends upon my lover, and when I succeed in bringing
him to terms."
"We will say in eight days. You see I am anxious to become speedily
acquainted with one blissful mortal, and I think that the husband of
the beautiful Madame Kleist will be supremely happy. In eight days,
then, you will be engaged, and, to complete your good work, you must
announce this happy fact to my brother Henry. Of course, he must not
even surmise that you sacrifice yourself in order to set him a good
example. No, you will complete your noble work, and tell him that a
love which you could not control induced you to take this step; and
that he may not doubt your words, you will tell your story
cheerfully--yes, joyously.
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