"And you know that the king wishes this marriage."
"But have you not consented to it, Diane?"
"But haven't you listened to Catherine, Gabriel?"
"One word, just one!" replied Gabriel. "But you still feel some interest, do you, in the feeling which may be aroused in me by another than yourself? Then you must care something for what is passing in my heart."
"I care as much for it," said Madame de Castro, "as you do for what is passing in mine."
"Oh! then let me tell you, Diane, that if you are like me, you are jealous; if you are like me, you love me to distraction."
"Monsieur d'Exmès," said Diane, who tried for an instant to be severe, poor child!—"Monsieur d'Exmès, I am called Madame de Castro."
"But are you not a widow, Madame? Are you not free?"
"Free, alas!"
"Oh, Diane, you sigh. Tell me, Diane, that your childish affection, which made our early years so sweet, has left some trace in the maiden's heart. Oh, tell me, Diane, that you still love me a little! Don't fear that any one will hear you, for everybody near us is taken up with the jokes of that sycophant; they have no tender words to listen to, so they are laughing. Oh, Diane, smile upon me and answer me; do you love me, Diane?"