I am
therefore under the sad necessity to beseech your majesty to agree
to my master's will."
"Never!" said the queen, proudly. "That door shall never be opened;
you shall never enter it."
"Be merciful. I dare not leave here without fulfilling my master's
commands. Have pity on my despair, your majesty, and give me the key
to that door."
"Listen! I shall not give you the key," said the queen, white and
trembling with anger; "and if you open the door by force, I will
cover it with my body; and now, sir, if you wish to murder the Queen
of Poland, open the door." And raising her proud, imposing form, the
queen placed herself before the door.
"Mercy! mercy! queen," cried the general; "do not force me to do
something terrible; do not make me guilty of a crime against your
sacred royalty. I dare not return to my king without these papers. I
therefore implore your majesty humbly, upon my knees, to deliver
this key to me."
He fell upon his knees before the queen, humbly supplicating her to
repent her decision.
"I will not give it to you," said she, with a triumphant smile. "I
do not move from this door; it shall not be opened.
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