"Have no fear; we will be tender of your pride; you must have a duke and peer, viscountess. I will look up one for you among our faithful adherents."
"Your Highness is too kind; I did not propose to give you that trouble."
"That may be, but I propose to take it, for I am bound to repay in happiness what you have given me in devotion; you will wait till the end of the war, won't you?"
"I will wait the shortest possible time, madame," replied the viscountess, with a smile.
"You speak as if your choice were already made, as if you had in hand the husband you ask me to give you."
"Indeed, the fact is as your Highness suggests."
"Upon my word! Who is the lucky mortal, pray? Speak, have no fear."
"Oh, madame," said Claire; "I know not why, but I am trembling all over."
The princess smiled, took Claire's hand, and drew her to her side.
"Child!" said she, and added, with a look which redoubled Claire's embarrassment, "Do I know him?"