"Why do you let them torment me?
Tell me what it means!" Then I spoke, gazing into her eyes.
"God forgive me, madame!" I said.

"I am not the King!" I felt her hands clutch my cheeks.

She gazed at me as never man's face was scanned yet.

And I, silent again, saw wonder born, and doubt grow, and terror spring to life as she looked.

And very gradually the grasp of her hands slackened; she turned to Sapt, to Fritz, and back to me: then suddenly she reeled forward and fell in my arms; and with a great cry of pain I gathered her to me and kissed her lips.