"It only remains for your Highness to indicate the day and hour for this wished-for divorce," added the Chancellor.
"Hum! you appear very much interested in my affairs," replied the Duke. "Why this precipitation?"
"Was it not your desire, my lord?"
"Certainly, it was my desire. But I will not submit to dictation from any one, and it may suit me better to leave matters as they are."
The courtier appeared surprised.
"Oh! that amazes you; yes, I said it might suit me better to leave matters as they were, my dear Count."
"Your Highness is certainly the best judge of your own affairs," replied Dassel, cautiously, as if he felt himself in the presence of an unchained lion; "still I must observe that matters are already pretty far advanced."
"Well, turn them back again. That must be an easy matter for you; you have experience in such things."
"May I venture to inquire the reasons which have influenced your Highness to this sudden change?"
"The reasons!" he cried angrily; "the reasons! because it would be infamous! Why do you stare at me thus? Look there!"