I shall always remember the present; I have it before my eyes; look." And he led the princess before a mirror, in which she saw herself reflected, blushing and beautiful enough to overcome a saint.
"It is all the same," she murmured; "it will not be a very worthy alliance." "Must I swear ?" inquired the king, intoxicated by the voluptuous turn the whole conversation had taken.
"Oh, I will not refuse to witness a resounding oath," said Madame; "it has always the _semblance_ of security." The king knelt upon a footstool and took Madame's hand.

She, with a smile that no painter could ever succeed in depicting, and which a poet might only imagine, gave him both her hands, in which he hid his burning face.

Neither of them could utter a syllable.

The king felt Madame withdraw her hands, caressing his face while she did so.

He rose immediately and left the apartment.