"I propose that you surrender Île Saint-Georges on one of the three conditions which I submit to your choice. The first is this,—and pray remember that it does not come from me: the sum of two hundred thousand livres—"
"Oh, madame, go no further," said Canolles, trying to break off the interview at that point. "I have been intrusted by the queen with the post of commandant at Île Saint-Georges, and I will defend it to the death."
"Remember the past, monsieur," said Claire, sadly; "that is not what you said to me at our last interview, when you proposed to abandon everything to follow me, when you had the pen already in your hand to offer your resignation to the persons for whom you propose to sacrifice your life to-day."
"I might have had that purpose, madame, when I was free to choose my own road; but to-day I am no longer free—"
"You are no longer free!" cried Claire, turning pale as death; "how am I to understand that? What do you mean?"
"I mean that I am in honor bound."
"Very well! then listen to my second proposition."
"To what end?" said Canolles; "have I not told you often enough, madame, that my resolution is immovable? So do not tempt me; you would do so to no purpose."
"Forgive me, monsieur," said Claire, "but I, too, am intrusted with a mission, and I must go through with it to the end."
"Go on," murmured Canolles; "but you are very cruel."