"Is it, then, a very important and difficult thing that you desire?"
"Monseigneur," said Bathilde, "it is the life of a man who has deserved death."
"Is it the Chevalier d'Harmental?"
"Alas, monseigneur, it is."
The regent's brow became pensive, while Bathilde, seeing the impression produced by her demand, felt her heart beat and her knees tremble.
"Is he your relation, your ally, your friend?"
"He is my life, he is my soul, monseigneur; I love him."
"But do you know that if I pardon him I must pardon all the rest, and that there are some still more guilty than he is?"
"His life only, monseigneur, all I ask is that he may live."
"But if I change his sentence to a perpetual imprisonment you will never see him again. What would become of you, then?" asked the regent.