"He is free, madame, and owes his freedom in great measure to you."
"How so?"
"Why, who but he was the poor prisoner whose pardon you joined me in urging upon King François?"
"Oh insane fool that I was!" muttered the duchess, biting her lips till the blood ran. She looked Benvenuto squarely in the eye for a moment, then continued, in a panting voice,—
"On what condition will you give me that letter?"
"I think I have allowed you to guess, madame."
"I am not skilled in guessing: tell me."
"You must ask the king to bestow Colombe's hand upon Ascanio."
"Go to!" rejoined Anne with a forced laugh; "you little know the Duchesse d'Etampes, Master Goldsmith, if you fancy that my love will yield to threats."
"You did not reflect before answering me, madame."