"My deeds speak for themselves. They have saved Montvilliers from Count Felix; with your help they should save the land from invasion and conquest. Will you ask me to explain all I came to say to you to-day?"
"Is it necessary?" she asked. "You are afraid of me, I want no explanation to understand that."
"You once said that for your country's good you would marry Count Felix. Were they words merely, or did you mean it?"
"I meant it."
"And you hated him?"
"It would have been a sacrifice."
"Are you still prepared to make such a sacrifice?" Herrick asked. "It is in your power to save the country from the double peril of civil war and invasion. Will you do it?"
"Marry Felix? Now?"
"Why not, if your country demands it, or a worse than Felix if necessary. To-day Felix is nothing, he holds no power. The power is with me. Make the sacrifice, mademoiselle; trust me to fulfil my part—marry me."
"Marry you!" she said, shrinking back from him.