"I came only for one minute, that you might not be disappointed, Frantz. I have taken advantage of my uncle's sleep; he is very sick, and I cannot stay away from him a longer time. Good-bye, Frantz," added Antonine, with a deep sigh; "it is very sad to part so soon, but it must be. Good-bye, again,--perhaps I can see you to-morrow." The young man was so crushed by the news he had to communicate to the young girl that he had not the strength to interrupt her. Then, in a voice broken by sobs, he exclaimed: "Antonine, we are lost!" "Lost!" "I am going away." "You!" "The prince compels me to go." "Oh, my God!" murmured Antonine, turning pale and leaning for support on the back of the rustic bench. "Oh, my God!" And, unable to utter another word, she burst into tears. After a heartrending silence, she said: "And you hoped for the consent of the prince, Frantz." "Alas! I hoped to obtain it by simply telling him how much I loved you, and how much you deserved that love. The prince is inflexible." "To go away,--to be separated from each other, Frantz," murmured Antonine, in a broken voice; "but it is not possible,--it would kill us both with sorrow, and the prince would not do that." "His will is inflexible; but whatever may happen," cried Frantz, falling at the young girl's knees, "yes, although I am a foreigner here, without family, without knowing what may be the consequence, I will stay in spite of the prince. Have courage, Antonine--" [Illustration: "_'Monseigneur, listen to me.'_" Original etching by Adrian Marcel.] Frantz could not continue; he saw a light shining in the distance, and a voice in great pain called: "Mlle. Antonine!" "My God! that is my uncle's nurse,--she is looking for me!" cried the young girl; then, turning to Frantz, she said, "Frantz, if you go away, I shall die." And Antonine disappeared in the direction of the light. The young man, overcome by grief, fell on the bench, hiding his face in his hands. Presently he heard a voice, coming down the walk in the garden of the Élysée, calling him by name: "Frantz!" He started, thinking it was the voice of the prince; he was not mistaken. A second time his name was called. Fear, the habit of passive obedience, and his respect for the archduke, as well as his gratitude, led Frantz back to the little wall which separated the two gardens; behind this wall he saw the prince standing in the light of the moon. The prince extended his hand with haughty reserve, and assisted him to regain the walk. "Immediately upon my return, I entered your apartment," said the archduke, severely. "I did not find you. Your open window told me all. Now, follow me." "Monseigneur," cried Frantz, throwing himself at the feet of the prince, and clasping his hands, "monseigneur, listen to me."