"And in a month the king will be at the Tuileries!" said Madame de Talizac.
The German did not notice this remark.
"And now, ladies, will you kindly permit me to retire? In two hours I leave with my company."
Madame de Fongereues extended her hand to him.
"Go, sir," she said. "Go aid in this sacred work! Insolent France must learn that the most sacred rights cannot be trodden under foot with impunity. Let the chastisement be as terrible as has been the crime!"
Monsieur de Karlstein bowed low and went out.
"At last!" repeated the Marquise. "These French have insulted and despised us too long! Twenty-five years of exile! It is twenty-five years since my father the Comte de Maillezais took me in his arms and, pointing toward Paris, said, 'Child! remember that the day will come when these men will kill their king, as they have forced your father to fly for his life.' Monsieur Fongereues, do you hear? Are you not glad to return as master among these men who drove you away, and with you all that there was great and noble in France?"
The old man turned his head.
"God protect France!" he said, solemnly.
A shout of laughter rang through the room. It was the son of Vicomte Jean, who was laughing at his grandfather.