And yet, had it been her own case, she undoubtedly would not have acted in such a manner; she would have understood everything, have guessed everything.

Yes, but she was nothing but a poor simple-minded girl, and not a great and powerful monarch.

Oh! if he did but come, if he would but come!--how eagerly she would forgive him for all he had just made her suffer! how much more tenderly she would love him because she had so suffered! And so she sat, with her head bent forward in eager expectation toward the door, her lips slightly parted, as if--and Heaven forgive her for the thought, she mentally exclaimed--they were awaiting the kiss which the king's lips had in the morning so sweetly indicated, when he pronounced the word _love_! If the king did not come, at least he would write! it was a second chance; a chance less delightful certainly than the other, but which would show an affection just as strong, but only more timorous in its nature.

Oh! how she would devour his letter, how eager she would be to answer it; and when the messenger who had brought it had left her, how she would kiss, read over and over again, press upon her heart the happy paper which would have brought her ease of mind, tranquillity, and perfect happiness.

At all events, if the king did not come; if, however, the king did not write, he could not do otherwise than send Saint-Aignan, or Saint-Aignan could not do otherwise than come of his own accord.