“How kind, how generous that is of France!” cried Ludovicka.  “It will promote my happiness, it will aid me in being united with my beloved; it thereby pledges me to eternal gratitude, and never shall I forget that I owe to France the happiness of my whole life.”

“And that, adored Princess, that is the only thing that France claims for its good offices—­a little gratitude!  A faithful remembrance of its good offices rendered, the sure promise that the Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg will never range himself on the side of the enemies of France, never league himself with the house of Austria against France, but forever remain the faithful ally and friend of France!”

“I promise you that—­I give you my solemn word for it!  Oh, we are no ingrates, to reward you with ingratitude; be sure and certain of that.  The Electoral Prince loves me; he will bid all welcome that makes a union with me possible; he will be eternally grateful to those who will lend us a helping hand.”

“And—­forgive me, your highness, for asking one question—­has he offered you his hand; has he made you a formal proposal of marriage?”

“He has sworn a thousand times that he loves me; he has so long and so often besought me to grant him an interview that I have at last done so—­all the rest follows.”

“Now,” said the count, with a meaning smile, “that is just as one may take it.  In any case, this interview will be useful and to the purpose, and your highness must now bring the Prince to declare himself formally.”

“My heavens!” cried the Princess impatiently, “I tell you that he has very often declared himself, that he has sworn to me a thousand times that of all the world he loves me, and me alone!  What more would you have him say?”

“Princess, you are an angel of innocence and maidenly simplicity.  When I say the Prince must declare himself, I mean by that that he must sue for your hand; he must say to you in so many words that he wishes to marry you.”

“Good! he shall do so, even to-day.  Oh, sir, it pleases you to doubt the love of the Electoral Prince?  You dare to think it possible that he may be only amusing himself with me—­that he has no serious designs?  I shall prove to you that you are mistaken—­that you wrong me and the Electoral Prince alike by your doubt.  This very night he shall offer me his hand—­this very night I shall engage myself to him!”

“And to-morrow night the nuptials must take place!” cried the count.

The Princess shrank back and a glowing blush overspread her cheeks.  “So soon—­to-morrow night?” she murmured.  “My God! this haste—­”

“Is necessary, if the marriage is ever to take place at all, Princess.  There is a common but very wise proverb which says, ’Strike while the iron is hot.’  Strike, Princess, strike, for I tell you what does not happen to-morrow night will be utterly impossible the day after.  We have fortunately our secret agents everywhere, as well here as at the courts of Berlin and Koenigsberg, and we therefore know that both Count Schwarzenberg and the Elector have sent their messengers here to induce the Electoral Prince to a speedy departure, and to threaten him with his father’s wrath in case he should allow himself to marry the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine.”