"Why, Madame? I beg you to forgive my frankness, which is, I admit, somewhat blunt; but it was because I did not like the Restoration. It can be imagined after this, Madame, that if I have been fortunate enough to do something to give you pleasure, at all events, I have done so without any ulterior motive, and all the more as Your Highness is not in a position to be able to offer me any reward."
The duchess smiled; then, turning towards Mademoiselle de Kersabiec, she said—
"Isn't he a good fellow, Stylite?"
"Yes, Madame; it is a pity he is not on our side." Whereupon, Dermoncourt hastened to reply—
"All that Madame has the right to demand in the way of respect, attention, consideration and care in the overpowering position in which she finds herself placed, she will obtain from me; all the services she can ask and I can grant her, I will; but nothing in the world is capable of making me forget my duty."
Then, turning to Mlle. de Kersabiec—
"You have heard what I say, Mlle. Stylite," said he, "I hope that, whilst I have the honour of being with Madame, you will be so good as never to return to this subject."
"You hear him, Stylite," said Madame—"let us talk of something else."
Then, in a different intonation of voice, she said—