"Poor child!" said Lenet, in a most compassionate tone, "why did you not say all this sooner?"
"Oh! mon Dieu! you terrify me. Is it too late? Is he not really safe?"
"He is, since Madame la Princesse has given her word; but—"
"But what?"
"Alas! can one be sure of anything in this world, and do not you yourself, who believe as I do that he is safe, weep instead of rejoicing?"
"I weep because I cannot visit him, my friend," Claire replied. "Consider, that he must hear these fearful noises, and believe that he is in imminent danger; consider, that he may accuse me of lukewarmness, of forgetfulness, of treachery! Oh Lenet, Lenet, what torture! Really, if the princess knew how I suffer, she would have pity on me."
"Very well, viscountess, you must see him."
"See him! impossible. You are well aware that I asked leave of her Highness to see him, and that her Highness refused."
"I know, and I approve her refusal with all my heart; and yet—"
"And yet you advise me to disobey!" cried Claire in surprise, gazing earnestly at Lenet, who lowered his eyes in confusion.