"With the permission of Madame d'Harville, I beg you to read this letter!"
"I assure your highness that there is nothing pressing."
"Once more, Albert, read this letter!"
"But—"
"I entreat you—I wish it."
"Since your royal highness requires it," said the marquis, taking the letter from the salver.
"Certainly. I require you to treat me as a friend."
Then turning toward the marchioness, while M. d'Harville broke the seal of this fatal letter, the contents of which Rudolph could not have imagined, he added, smiling, "What a triumph for you, madame, to cause this will, so stern, always to yield!"
D'Harville drew near one of the candelabra on the chimney-piece, and opened the letter. Rudolph and Clemence conversed together, while D'Harville twice read the letter. His countenance remained composed; a nervous trembling, almost imperceptible, agitated his hands alone; after a moment's hesitation, he put the note into his waistcoat pocket.
"At the risk of passing for a savage," said he to Rudolph, smiling, "I shall ask permission to go and answer this letter—more important than I thought at first."