“My grandfather! my grandfather!” cried Mademoiselle, sinking to his feet, “think not bitterly of me! This gentleman has told the truth. I had but spoken a few words to him when you came. He did me a great service. I concealed him.” “Why?” groaned the Duke. “I was afraid that you would kill him.” “Afraid? What is he to you?” It was a dreadful situation for a young girl. She had never told me in so many words, although I was sure of it in my own mind, and to have to declare it before all these men was indeed hard. Yet with a heroism for which I can never be sufficiently grateful she said it. “I love him!” “You love him!” exclaimed her grandfather in amazement. “Monsieur le Duc de Rivau-Huet,” I cried in my turn, springing to her side, lifting her up, and slipping my arm about her waist, “I have the honor to ask you to give me the hand of your granddaughter in marriage.” “She is a countess of France,” replied the Duke. “The best blood in the land flows in her veins, Monsieur.” “I have some indifferent good in my own veins, Monsieur le Duc,” I asserted, naming some of my mother’s people. “Is this true, Monsieur?” “I vouch for it,” said Paul Jones. “Your Majesty,” said the Duke, turning to the King, but he got no help there. “If you will give your consent, Duke,” said Louis, “I shall not withhold mine. Indeed, under the circumstances—”He paused significantly. The Duke groaned and the gracious Queen came to our rescue again. “Monsieur le Duc,” she said, stepping near him and laying her hand on his arm, “think! Monsieur Burnham is a gallant gentleman. As good blood as any in France flows in his veins. In America they have no kings, but they are all princes. His Majesty in his kindness consents. This will cement the union between the two countries against England, which is so dear to think of. Will you sacrifice your pride if I ask you, and bless the pair who love each other?” “Madame, it is as you will,” he faltered. “I had cherished other dreams. Still, there can be no higher degree than that of gentleman, after all. No, though he sit upon a throne.” “The royalty of virtue, the royalty of honor, the royalty of courage,” said Dr. Franklin kindly, “make this marriage not an unequal one.” “I am an old man,” continued the Duke; “this has been hard on me. Let the young love have its way.” “And you will forgive me?” pleaded Mademoiselle, approaching him nearer. “Your Majesty will permit me?” asked the Duke. He took her in his arms and pressed a kiss upon her forehead and blessed her. “Sir,” he said, turning to me and bowing, “I hope to know more of you before I commit this child to your keeping.” “Now that all is settled for the second time,” said the King, greatly relieved. “Dr. Franklin, Commodore, and you, Duke, will you come with me?” “We attend Your Majesty.”