"And you love him dearly?"
"Better than anyone--in the world--except Papa," I faltered, through my
tears.
"Not better than your brothers and sisters?"
"I have no brothers and sisters," I replied, my courage coming back again
by degrees. "I have no one but Papa, and Monsieur Maurice, and Aunt Martha
Baur--and I love Monsieur Maurice a thousand, thousand times more than Aunt
Martha Baur!"
There came a merry sparkle into the King's eyes, and my father turned his
face away to conceal a smile.
"But if Monsieur Maurice was free, he would go away and you would never see
him again. What would you do then?"
"I--should be very sorry," I faltered; "but"....
"But what?"
"I would rather he went away, and was happy."
The King stooped down and kissed me on the brow.
"That, my little Maedchen, is the answer of a true friend," he said, gravely
and kindly. "If your Monsieur Maurice deserves to go free, he shall have
his liberty. You have our royal word for it. Colonel Bernhard, we will
investigate this matter without the delay of an hour."
Saying thus, he turned from me to my father, and, followed by his officers,
passed on in the direction of the Chateau.
I stood there speechless, his gracious words yet ringing in my ears.
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