“Yes, your majesty, but I love enough to be cowardly. Come, monseigneur, do something for the man who has served you so well.”
“What do you want?”
“That you should pardon me.”
“I will.”
“That you should reconcile me with M. de Méridor.”
“I will try.”
“That you will sign my marriage contract with Mademoiselle de Méridor.”
“Yes,” said the prince, in a hoarse voice.
“And that you shall honor my wife with a smile when I shall present her to his majesty.”
“Yes; is that all?”