“No,” I answered, “it is quite serious, but it all depends on an if. If you do not go to Paris the prophecy will never be fulfilled.”
“You must think so, certainly, or you would never have offered me those fifty medals.”
“Do me the pleasure of accepting them now; nobody will know anything about it.”
“No, I cannot, though I am much obliged to you. But why should you want to give me such a large sum?”
“For the pleasure of contributing to your happiness, and in the hope that you will allow me to love you.”
“If you really love me why should I oppose your love? You need not buy my consent; and to be happy I do not want to possess the King of France, if you did but know to what my desires are limited.”
“Tell me.”
“I would fain find a kind husband, rich enough for us not to lack the necessaries of life.”
“But how if you did not love him?”
“If he was a good, kind man how could I help loving him?”