Adele may in time really come to love one of her suitors, and if he were one of those whom the king would like to favour, he would probably consent to the match.

Then, the king may die.

It is treason even to suppose such a thing possible; still he is but mortal; or something else may occur to change the course of the future.
"Of one thing I have decided: I will not see Adele sacrificed.

I have for the last four years managed to transmit a considerable portion of the revenues of my estates to the hands of a banker in Holland; and if needs be I will again become an exile with her, and wait patiently until some less absolute monarch mounts the throne." It was not so easy, however, to silence the mouths of the gossips of Versailles as the Marquis de Pignerolles had hoped.

It was true that Rupert was seldom seen by the side of Adele in the drawing room of the palace, but it was soon noticed that he called regularly every morning with the marquis at Madame de Soissons', and that, however long the visits of the marquis might be, the young English officer remained until he left.
Adele's English bringing up, and her avowed liking for things English, were remembered; and the Duc de Carolan, and the other aspirants to Adele's hand, began to scowl angrily at the young Englishman whenever they met him.
Upon the other hand, among the ladies Rupert was a general favourite, but he puzzled them altogether.