"Sire," she answered, gently, "I know that the prince is an obedient
and respectful subject and servant to his king in all things, but
this command he would not obey."

"He would not dare to brave my commands!"

"He would not brave them, sire. Oh, no; it would be simply
impossible to obey them."

"What would hinder him?"

"Love, sire; the respect which he owes to me as the mother of his
two children--who has consecrated her love, her honor to him, and of
whom no one can say that she has injured the fidelity which she has
sworn to the prince--to the man of her first and only love--even
with a word or look."

"You mean to say, that I cannot separate you from the prince but by
force?"

"Yes, your majesty," cried she, with conscious power, "that is
exactly what I mean."

"You will find yourself deceived; you will be made to realize it,"
said the king, with a menacing tone. "You know nothing of the power
that lies in a legitimate marriage, and what rivals legitimate
children are, whom one dares acknowledge before God--before the
world. Boast not of the love of the prince, but remember that an
honorable solitude is the only situation becoming to you. Such