"Oh insane fool that I was!" muttered the duchess, biting her lips till the blood ran. She looked Benvenuto squarely in the eye for a moment, then continued, in a panting voice,-- "On what condition will you give me that letter?" "I think I have allowed you to guess, madame." "I am not skilled in guessing: tell me." "You must ask the king to bestow Colombe's hand upon Ascanio." "Go to!" rejoined Anne with a forced laugh; "you little know the Duchesse d'Etampes, Master Goldsmith, if you fancy that my love will yield to threats." "You did not reflect before answering me, madame." "I stand by my answer, however." "Kindly permit me to sit down unceremoniously, madame, and to talk plainly with you a moment," said Benvenuto, with the dignified familiarity peculiar to superior men. "I am only an humble sculptor, and you are a great duchess; but let me tell you that, notwithstanding the distance which separates us, we were made to understand each other. Do not assume those queenly airs: they will have no effect. It is not my purpose to insult you, but to enlighten you, and your haughty manner is out of place because your pride is not at stake." "You are a strange man, upon my word," said Anne, laughing in spite of herself. "Say on, I am listening." "I was saying, Madame la Duchesse," continued Benvenuto, coolly, "that, despite the difference in our fortunes, our positions are almost the same, and that we could understand each other, and perhaps mutually assist each other. You cried out when I suggested that you should renounce Ascanio; it seemed to you impossible and mad, and yet I had set you an example, madame." "An example?" "Yes, as you love Ascanio, I loved Colombe." "You?" "I. I loved her as I had never loved but once. I would have given my blood, my life, my soul for her, and yet I gave her to Ascanio." "Truly a most unselfish passion," sneered the duchess.