"What do you see upon my table?" said she, with something of the Prince's pomposity.
"A picture," said he, reluctantly.
"Whose?"
"The Pretender's," he answered with a sneer.
"The King's," said she, pleasantly. "His picture is fixed there guarding me. Against my heart there lies a second. I wish your Highness all speed to Italy."
She dropped his hand, bowed to him again in sign that the interview was ended. The Prince had a final argument.
[pg 163]
"You refuse a dowry of £100,000. I would have you think of that."
"Sir, you think of it for both of us."