“I did not say anything Madame.”
“You did not say anything; you disapprove of my observation, then? you are perfectly satisfied, I suppose?”
Raoul approached closer to her. “Madame,” he said, “your royal highness wishes to say something to me, and your instinctive kindness and generosity of disposition induce you to be careful and considerate as to your manner of conveying it. Will your royal highness throw this kind forbearance aside? I am able to bear everything; and I am listening.”
“Ah!” replied Henrietta, “what do you understand, then?”
“That which your royal highness wishes me to understand,” said Raoul, trembling, notwithstanding his command over himself, as he pronounced these words.
“In point of fact,” murmured the princess... “it seems cruel, but since I have begun—”
“Yes, Madame, once your highness has deigned to begin, will you condescend to finish—”
Henrietta rose hurriedly and walked a few paces up and down her room. “What did M. de Guiche tell you?” she said, suddenly.
“Nothing, Madame.”
“Nothing! Did he say nothing? Ah! how well I recognize him in that.”