“Do not be afraid, mademoiselle,” said the maid of honor to her in an encouraging tone. “Her majesty is kindness itself. You have nothing to fear; she could not be better disposed to give you a favorable reception.”
There was not time to utter another word. The door then opened. Vera entered first. She bowed, and made Fleurange advance; then retired herself with another profound reverence, leaving the young girl alone with the empress.
The audience lasted over half an hour, and Vera, though accustomed to wait, was beginning to find the time long, when the door again opened, and Fleurange came out. Her face was agitated, her eyes brilliant and tearful. Perceiving Vera, she stopped, and took her by the hand.
“Oh! you were right,” she said. “Her majesty treated me with wonderful kindness. But I know how much I am also indebted to you. It was owing to you she was disposed to be gracious even before I was heard. May God reward you, mademoiselle, and repay you for all you have done for me!”
Vera replied to this effusion with unusual cordiality, and accompanied Fleurange to the door. As they took leave of each other, their eyes met; a common impulse caused them both to make a slight movement: but a little timidity on one side, and some haughtiness on the other, stopped them, and the young girls parted without embracing each other.
Vera slowly retraced her steps, and entered the empress' salon. As soon as the latter perceived her, she said: “Well, Vera, what have you to say? Did you ever see a more charming apparition?”
“The young lady was beautiful indeed,” said Vera, with a thoughtful air. “I never saw such eyes.”
“That is true—eyes that look you directly in the face, with an expression so innocent, so frank, and almost of assurance, were it not so sweet. I was not reluctant, I assure you, to take charge of her petition, and promise to favor it. Here, take it: I would not even read it. I am ready to grant all this charming girl requests. It is sufficient to know she loves one of those criminals, and [pg 602] wishes to marry him in order to share his fate. Such a terrible favor will not be refused, I am sure.”
The empress seated herself in her large arm-chair. “But what fools men are,” she continued, after a moment's silence, “to thus foolishly risk the happiness of others as well as their own! Really, I admire these women whom nothing daunts, nothing discourages, and who thus sacrifice themselves for such selfish beings.”
“Yes,” replied Vera, “their devotedness is certainly admirable; but the women who implore, who supplicate, and at length avert the punishment of the guilty, have also a noble rôle, madame, and one which the unfortunate have reason to bless.”