as far as
in me lies. Your allowance shall be fixed by yourself; a palace shall
be erected for you in whatever part of France you may prefer, provided
that it is twenty miles from Paris. An estate also--"

"Oh, sire, how can you think that such things as these would compensate
me for the loss of your love?" Her heart had turned to lead within her
breast. Had he spoken hotly and angrily she might have hoped to turn
him as she had done before; but this gentle and yet firm bearing was new
to him, and she felt that all her arts were vain against it. His
coolness enraged her, and yet she strove to choke down her passion and
to preserve the humble attitude which was least natural to her haughty
and vehement spirit; but soon the effort became too much for her.

"Madame," said he, "I have thought well over this matter, and it must be
as I say. There is no other way at all. Since we must part, the
parting had best be short and sharp. Believe me, it is no pleasant
matter for me either. I have ordered your brother to have his carriage
at the postern at nine o'clock, for I thought that perhaps you would
wish to retire after nightfall."

"To hide my shame from a laughing court! It was thoughtful of you,
sire. And yet, perhaps, this too was a duty, since we hear so much of
duties nowadays, for who was it but you--"

"I know, madame, I know. I confess it. I have wronged you deeply.
Believe me that every atonement which is in my power shall be made.
Nay, do not look so angrily at me, I beg. Let our last sight of each
other be one which may leave a pleasant memory behind it."

"A pleasant memory!" All the gentleness and humility had fallen from
her now, and her voice had the hard ring of contempt and of anger.
"A pleasant memory! It may well be pleasant to you, who are released
from the woman whom you ruined, who can turn now to another without any
pale face to be seen within the _salons_ of your court to remind you of
your perfidy. But to me, pining in some lonely country house, spurned
by my husband, despised by my family, the scorn and jest of France, far
from all which gave a charm to life, far from the man for whose love I
have sacrificed everything--this will be a very pleasant memory to me,
you may be sure!"

The king's eyes had caught the angry gleam which shot from hers, and yet
he strove hard to set a curb upon his temper. When such a matter had to
be discussed between the proudest man and the haughtie