"You accept it calmly, in this fashion ?" "Shall I weep and tear my hair over a boy I have never seen?
No, thank you.

I was about to make known to you this very evening that I had reconsidered the offer.

I shall never marry his majesty." "A fine time!" The duke's hand trembled.

"Why, in God's name, did you not refuse when the overtures were first made?
The truth, Herbeck, the whole truth; for there is something more than this." Herbeck, in few words and without evasion, explained the situation.
"Your Highness, the regent is really not to blame, for his majesty had given him free rein in the matter; and his royal highness, working as I have been for the best interests of the two countries, never dreamed that the king would rebel.

All my heart and all my mind have been working toward this end, toward a greater peace and prosperity.