"And I must sign it?"
"Most assuredly."
"Ah! little one," said Madame de Condé, with her most gracious smile, "I seem compelled to do whatever you want."
And she wrote her name.
Claire pounced upon the paper like an eagle upon its prey. She hardly took time to thank her Highness, and rushed from the room pressing the paper against her heart.
On the stairway she met Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, who was always followed wherever he went by a number of officers and admiring citizens.
Claire greeted him with a happy little smile. Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, surprised beyond measure, stopped for an instant upon the landing, and followed her with his eyes to the bottom of the stairs before entering Madame de Condé's apartment.
"All is ready, madame," he said, when he was in her Highness's presence.
"Where?"
"Over yonder."