During the evening, in order to make sure that the delay would be prolonged no farther, and to leave herself no other alternative than to confide to the princess a secret as to which she felt some embarrassment, Claire requested a private audience for the next day,--a request which was, of course, granted without demur. At the hour named, Claire waited upon the princess, who received her with her most charming smile. She was alone, as Claire had requested. "Well, little one," she said, "what is the grave matter that leads you to ask me specially for a private audience, when you know that I am at my friends' service at all hours of the day?" "Madame," the viscountess replied, "amid the felicity which is your Highness's due, I beg you to cast your eyes upon your faithful servant, who also feels the need of a little happiness." "With great pleasure, my dear Claire, and all the happiness God could send you would not equal that which I desire for you. Say on, pray; what favor do you desire? If it is in my power to grant, look upon it as granted before it is asked." "Widow as I am, and free,--too free, indeed, for my liberty is more burdensome to me than slavery would be,--I desire to exchange my loneliness for a happier lot." "That is to say that you wish to marry, eh, little one?" queried Madame de Condé, with a smile. "I think so," replied Claire, blushing. "Very well! That is our affair." Claire made a deprecatory gesture. "Have no fear; we will be tender of your pride; you must have a duke and peer, viscountess. I will look up one for you among our faithful adherents." "Your Highness is too kind; I did not propose to give you that trouble." "That may be, but I propose to take it, for I am bound to repay in happiness what you have given me in devotion; you will wait till the end of the war, won't you?" "I will wait the shortest possible time, madame," replied the viscountess, with a smile. "You speak as if your choice were already made, as if you had in hand the husband you ask me to give you." "Indeed, the fact is as your Highness suggests." "Upon my word! Who is the lucky mortal, pray? Speak, have no fear." "Oh, madame," said Claire; "I know not why, but I am trembling all over." The princess smiled, took Claire's hand, and drew her to her side. "Child!" said she, and added, with a look which redoubled Claire's embarrassment, "Do I know him?" "I think that your Highness has seen him several times." "I need not ask if he is young?" "Twenty-eight." "And nobly born?" "He is of good family." "And brave?" "His reputation is established." "And rich?" "I am." "Yes, little one, yes, and we have not forgotten it. You are one of the wealthiest nobles in our dominion, and we are happy to remember, that in the present war, the louis d'or of Monsieur de Cambes, and the crowns of your peasants have relieved our embarrassment more than once." "Your Highness honors me by recalling my devotion."