"Dear heart, the Ruggieri have my word as a gentleman," said Charles, smiling. "Will Marie have children?"
"Yes—and madame will live to be more than eighty."
"Must I have them hanged?" said the King to his mistress.—"And my son, the Comte d'Auvergne?" said Charles, rising to fetch the child.
"Why did you tell him that I should marry?" said Marie Touchet to the two brothers during the few moments when they were alone.
"Madame," replied Lorenzo with dignity, "the King required us to tell the truth, and we told it."
"Then it is true?" said she.
"As true as that the Governor of Orleans loves you to distraction."
"But I do not love him," cried she.
"That is true, madame," said Lorenzo. "But your horoscope shows that you are to marry the man who at this present loves you."
"Could you not tell a little lie for my sake?" said she with a smile. "For if the King should believe your forecast——"