"Do you think he loves you as much as you love him?"
"I hope so, madame."
"Such a friendship is very edifying; do you know it? especially between princes. Court friendships mean very little, François."
"Mother, you must remember we are not only friends, but almost brothers."
Catharine smiled a strange smile.
"Ah," said she, "are there brothers among kings?"
"Oh! as to that, neither of us was a king, mother, when our intimacy began. Moreover, we never expected to be kings; that is why we loved each other."
"Yes, but things are changed."
"How changed?"
"Why, who can say now whether both of you will not be kings?"