"You will promise me to do what you can?"
She looked into the face of this tired old man and a great pity for him swept over her.
"I will, Sire. I will ask him not to tell—demand it of him even if——"
She paused and hid her face in her hands, unable to say more, trying to hide the true nature of the sacrifice he was asking of her.
The Emperor understood and laid a kindly hand upon her shoulder.
"I understand, my daughter. I pray that no bitterness may come between you, on account of this. Responsibility comes to you early, and yet you cannot—must not shirk it."
"And if he refuses——?" she pleaded.
The wrinkled face broke into a smile, the gray eyes were bright in admiration.
"I am sure," he said gallantly, "that Herr Renwick could refuse you nothing. Were I younger——" He paused with a sigh and smiled again. "I am not sure even now that I am not a trifle jealous of this discreet Englishman of yours." And, then, aware of her intense embarrassment, "But I am sure that you will succeed."
"I shall try, Sire," she murmured.