Louise; "then came the king, and forced me to offer up myself and my
great love to your future welfare. Oh, my prince! recall that
terrible hour in which we separated. I said to you that I had
betrothed myself to Captain du Trouffle--that of my own free choice,
and influenced by love alone, I gave myself to him."

"I remember that hour."

"Well, then, in that hour we were not alone. The king was concealed
behind the portiere, and listened to my words. He dictated them!--he
threatened me with destruction if I betrayed his presence by look or
word; if I gave you reason to suspect that I did not, of my own
choice and lovingly, give myself to this unloved, yes, this hated
man! I yielded only after the most fearful contest with the king, to
whom, upon my knees and bathed in tears, I pleaded for pity."

"What means could the king use, what threats could he utter, which
forced you to such a step?" said the prince, incredulously. "Did he
threaten you with death if you did not obey? When one truly loves,
death has no terrors! Did he say he would murder me if you did not
release me? You knew I had a strong arm and a stronger will; you
should have trusted both. You placed your fate in my hands; you
should have obeyed no other commands than mine. And now shall I
speak the whole truth? I do not believe in this sacrifice on your
part; it would have required more than mortal strength, and it would
have been cruel in the extreme. You saw what I suffered. My heart
was torn with anguish! No, madame, no; you did not make this
sacrifice, or, if you did, you loved me not. If you had loved me,
you could not have seen me suffer so cruelly, you would have told
the truth, even in the presence of the king. No earthly power can