When will you be engaged ?" "Sire, that depends upon my lover, and when I succeed in bringing him to terms." "We will say in eight days.

You see I am anxious to become speedily acquainted with one blissful mortal, and I think that the husband of the beautiful Madame Kleist will be supremely happy.

In eight days, then, you will be engaged, and, to complete your good work, you must announce this happy fact to my brother Henry.

Of course, he must not even surmise that you sacrifice yourself in order to set him a good example.

No, you will complete your noble work, and tell him that a love which you could not control induced you to take this step; and that he may not doubt your words, you will tell your story cheerfully--yes, joyously." "Sire, it is too much--I cannot do it," cried Madame von Kleist.