"No, sir."
"That is most unfortunate," said the Marquis, in a feigned tone of extreme anxiety. "He was in a very strange humour to-night."
"Yes, sir?" said Mlle de Tricotrin, assuming an air of complete indifference.
"He spoke to me in a very extraordinary manner," continued her father. "It causes me no inconsiderable anxiety."
"What did he say, sir?" said she, apparently as little concerned as ever.
M. de Tricotrin told his daughter all the opinions which the King had expressed to him, and which led him to believe that he had determined to remain a bachelor, and let things take their course; but he omitted all the arguments by which he considered he had so successfully opposed the King's intention. "So you see, my dear," he concluded, "that our Quixotic Kophetua is bent on abdication and a republic."
Mlle de Tricotrin had listened attentively as her father unfolded to her the King's indifference as to whether he reigned or not. It was the last blow on her already shattered resolution. She saw one more guarantee of her ultimate success disappearing. Though she could not own it to herself, the very loftiness and unselfishness of the King's ideas made her desire him more. It was more than she could bear, added to the load of temptation under which she already struggled. Suddenly laying aside her indifference, she started up in her seat, and, with a violent gesture, cried out, "He shall not abdicate!"
"How will you prevent it?" asked the Marquis, unmoved.
"I cannot prevent it; but Turbo can, and he shall!"