And as Monsieur de Beaugency warmed with his own eloquence, he gently slid from his seat to the knees of the Marchioness, whose hand he covered with kisses.
She listened to him, with a smile on her lips, and then abruptly said to him:
"Rise, sir, and hear me in turn. Are you in truth sincerely attached to me?"
"With my whole soul, Marchioness!"
"Are you prepared to make every sacrifice?"
"Every one, Madam."
"That is fortunate indeed; for to be prepared for all, is to accomplish one, without the slightest difficulty; and it is but a single one that I require."
"Oh, speak! Must a throne be conquered?"
"By no means, sir. You must only call to mind that you own a fine chateau in Poitou."
"Pooh!" said Monsieur de Beaugency, "a shed."