careless tone, that made her own heart shudder. "It pleases your
highness to make a jest of what I say. I am innocent, my prince, of
any double meaning. Five weeks have passed since I saw you--I
believed you had forgotten me; I did not reproach you, neither was I
in despair. I soon found that it was stupid and dreary to have my
heart unoccupied, and I sought for and soon found a lover, to whom
my heart became a willing captive. Therefore, when Captain Trouffle
pleaded earnestly for my hand, I had not the courage to say no. This
is my only crime, your highness. I was not cruel to myself; I
received the happiness that was offered. I have been called a
coquette, my prince; it is time to bind myself in marriage bonds,
and show the world that love can make an honest woman of me. Can
your highness blame me for this?"

The prince listened with breathless attention; gradually his
countenance changed, the color faded from his cheeks, the light from
his eyes; a smile was still on his lips, but it was cold and
mocking; his eyes burned with anger and contempt.

"No, madame," he said, with calm, proud indifference, "I do not
blame you--I praise, I congratulate you. Captain du Trouffle is a
most fortunate man--he will possess a most beautiful wife. When will
this happy ceremony be performed?"

Madame von Kleist was unable to reply. She gazed with wild terror
into his cold, iron face--she listened with horror to that voice,
whose mild, soft tone had become suddenly so harsh, so stern.

The prince repeated his question, and his tone was harder and more
imperious.