"What can it be?" said she, as she unfolded it.
He watched her as she read; and thought how beautiful she was, as, blushing and smiling, she held out her hand to thank him.
"How, sire," said she, joyfully, "you make me this royal gift?"
"If you will accept it. The chateau de Trianon is a small estate, but its mistress may at least find it a home where she will have liberty to enjoy nature without exciting the malevolence of her enemies. No one can watch you there, Antoinette; for your castle is not large enough to lodge your slanderers. It will scarcely accommodate your friends."
"How can I ever thank you, sire?" said she, in grateful accents. "You have understood my heart, and have gratified its weary longings for occasional solitude. This, then, is my own private domain?"
"Certainly."
"And I may rule there without interference from state or etiquette?"
"Assuredly. As chatelaine of Trianon, you alone will regulate its customs, and all who visit you, must submit to your rules."
"And no man can enter my chateau without an invitation?"
"Not even the king himself."