"BUT I DO; and I have heard enough. I shall countermand the soiree, and seek another bridegroom for Mademoiselle de Blois. But Trier shall fall, and on your head be the fate of its inhabitants!"
He rose and would have put aside the portiere, but his hand was convulsively clutched, and the duchess, in a voice that was hoarse with agony, gasped:
"Have I understood? You would barter the fate of Trier for my consent to this unnatural marriage!"
"Yes, by God, I do!" was the profane and passionate reply of the king.
"Stay—stay," murmured she, trembling in every limb. "Would you rescue the city if I consented?"
"I will do so, with pleasure."
The duchess shivered, clasped her hands together, and, closing her eyes as though to hide her humiliation from Heaven, she retracted her refusal, and then fell almost insensible into an arm-chair.
The king approached her and kissing her, said, "Madame, from my heart, I thank you."
The poor duchess scarcely heeded these gracious words. She had received a blow that well-nigh blunted her heart to the sufferings of her countrymen. But she had made the sacrifice of her principles, and she must reap the reward of that terrible sacrifice.
"Sire," said she, as soon as she had recovered strength enough to articulate, "sire, fulfil your promise immediately, or it will be too late."