What should she do?
Dismiss Gabriel at once? But suppose on his way out he should meet the king, who might arrive at any moment!
Should she keep the youth with her? The king would find him there when he came in.
To warn the king would excite his suspicion, while on the other hand to warn Gabriel would simply arouse his anger by seeming to dread it.
A meeting between these two men, each of whom was so threatening to the other, now appeared inevitable, and it was she herself, Diane, who would gladly shed her own blood to save them, who had brought about the fatal encounter!
"What does the king write to you, Diane?" asked Gabriel, with an assumed tranquillity which was belied by the trembling of his voice.
"Nothing, nothing, really," replied Diane. "A reminder of the reception this evening."
"Perhaps I discommode you, Diane," Gabriel remarked. "If so, I will go."
"No, no, don't go!" cried Diane, hastily. "But then," she continued, "if you have any business which demands your immediate attention elsewhere, I should not like to detain you."
"That letter has troubled you, Diane. I fear that I have wearied you, and will take my leave."