‘To what do I owe this gracious interest in my fate, lady?’ asked he eagerly. ‘Is it my casual resemblance to the prince he was so fond of?’
‘So fond!’ exclaimed she; then, as quickly correcting herself, she added: ‘No, not altogether that—though, perhaps, the likeness may have served you,’
‘How kind and good of him to think of one so friendless!’ muttered Gerald, half aloud.
‘Is the proposal one you would like to close with? Tell me frankly, Gherardi, for we are speaking now in all frankness!’
‘Perhaps I may only lose another friend if I say no!’ said he timidly; and then, with bolder accents, added: ‘Let me own it, madame, I have no taste for study—at least such studies as these. My heart is set upon the world of action: I would like to win a name, no matter how brief the time left me to enjoy it.’
‘Shall I tell you my plan—’
‘Yours!’ broke he in. ‘Surely you too have not deigned to remember me?’
‘Yes; the Count interested me strongly in you. This morning we talked of little else at breakfast, and up to the moment we overtook you at the gate. His generous ardour in your behalf filled me with a like zeal, and we discussed together many a plan for your future; and mine was, that you should enter the service of the King——’
‘What King?’
‘What other than the King of France, boy, the heir of St. Louis?’