"I have decided. That is what I wish," I answered, firmly.
In his perplexity he stared hard at me and then bowed. As he was leaving the room he turned.
"I don't understand you; but I shall be sorry if you make yourself my enemy and drive me to any extremes. I respect you; and repeat, I shall be sorry."
I made no answer; leaving him to think I had spoken my last word as to Karl.
CHAPTER XII
HIS EXCELLENCY AGAIN
If the truth must be confessed I had surprised myself quite as much as Count Gustav in declaring my wish that Karl should marry Madame d'Artelle. I had spoken in response to the feeling of hot resentment he had roused by his bitter taunt that a marriage with me would prove an effectual disgrace for Karl.
And what stung me was the obvious truth of it all.
My father was the proscribed murderer of the man who, had he lived, would have been the future occupant of the new throne; and for Karl to marry such a man's daughter must mean absolute death to his chance of succeeding to that throne.