"Between ourselves, my dear Albert, I believe you a little too platonic in friendship; very sure that you are loved, you are not pliant enough to give or receive proofs of attachment." Through a breach of etiquette, which rather annoyed Madame d'Harville, a servant entered, bringing a letter to the marquis. It was the anonymous denunciation of Sarah, which accused the prince of being the lover of Madame d'Harville. The marquis, out of deference to the prince, pushed back with his hand the silver salver which the servant handed him, and said, in an undertone, "Not now, not now." "My dear Albert," said the prince, in the most affectionate tone, "do you stand on ceremony with me?" "But, your highness--" "With the permission of Madame d'Harville, I beg you to read this letter!" "I assure your highness that there is nothing pressing." "Once more, Albert, read this letter!" "But--" "I entreat you--I wish it." "Since your royal highness requires it," said the marquis, taking the letter from the salver. "Certainly. I require you to treat me as a friend." Then turning toward the marchioness, while M. d'Harville broke the seal of this fatal letter, the contents of which Rudolph could not have imagined, he added, smiling, "What a triumph for you, madame, to cause this will, so stern, always to yield!" D'Harville drew near one of the candelabra on the chimney-piece, and opened the letter. Rudolph and Clemence conversed together, while D'Harville twice read the letter. His countenance remained composed; a nervous trembling, almost imperceptible, agitated his hands alone; after a moment's hesitation, he put the note into his waistcoat pocket. "At the risk of passing for a savage," said he to Rudolph, smiling, "I shall ask permission to go and answer this letter--more important than I thought at first." "Shall I not see you again to-night?" "I do not think that I can have that honor; I hope your royal highness will excuse me." "What a man!" said Rudolph gayly. "Will you not try to retain him, madame!" "I dare not attempt what your highness has attempted in vain." "Seriously, my dear Albert, try to return to us as soon as your letter is written; if not, promise to grant me an interview some morning. I have a thousand things to say to you." "Your royal highness overwhelms me," said the marquis, bowing profoundly as he retired. "Your husband is preoccupied," said Rudolph to the marchioness, "his smile appeared constrained." "When your royal highness arrived D'Harville was profoundly affected; he had great trouble to conceal it." "I have arrived, perhaps, at an inopportune moment." "No, you have even spared me the conclusion of a painful conversation." "How is that?" "I have told D'Harville the new line of conduct that I was resolved to follow, promising him support and consolation." "How happy he should be!"