"Ah! sire, he will believe I am weeping for joy.

I have often heard of joyful tears." The king did not reply; he felt for her agony, and closed the partiere.
"I will cry no more," she said; "I have accepted my destiny, and will fulfil it bravely for the sake of my daughter.

It concerns Camilla's happiness more than my own.

I will deserve the respect of my unfortunate child." In saying this, a smile like a sunbeam illuminated her countenance.
But now she started up, and laid her hand in terror upon her heart.
She heard steps approaching.

The door moved, and in a moment the king appeared and motioned to her.
"Courage, courage!" murmured Louise, and with instinctive fear she flew away from the door and placed herself in the niche of the last window.
To reach her, the prince must cross the saloon; that would give her a few moments to recover.