Part 12 (2/2)

It is true that the door remained open, and the portiere that was raised allowed the chattering ladies to gaze on His Majesty, but no one could hear a word of what the two were saying.

”Madame, to-day you are quite different to yesterday, and even more beautiful! You are bewitching!” he exclaimed, without any restraint.

”Your Majesty's indulgence is so well known, that it is difficult to believe these most flattering compliments,” replied Anna.

”Do you wish me to swear it? I am ready to take an oath by all the G.o.ds of Olympus, that I have never seen such a beautiful woman. I am amazed at the cruelty of that destiny which has given such an angel into Hoym's hands.”

In spite of herself, Anna laughed, and for the first time a row of pearl-like teeth appeared behind her coral lips. Her laughter made her yet more beautiful.

The King looked at her hands, they were so beautiful, that he was seized with a pa.s.sionate desire to kiss them, and it was with difficulty that he abstained from pressing one of them to his lips.

They were perfection. His head was beginning to be turned.

”Were I a tyrant,” said he, ”I should forbid Hoym ever to return hither, I am jealous of that Vulcan.”

”Vulcan is likewise jealous,” responded Anna.

”But Venus cannot love him!” said the King.

”Should love be wanting, there are other chains that bind yet stronger than those of love--the chains formed by oath and by duty.”

The King smiled.

”An oath in love!”

”No, your Majesty, in marriage.”

”But there are sacrilegious marriages,” observed Augustus, ”and I regard as such, those marriages in which beauty is united to ugliness.

In such cases the G.o.ds give absolution for the broken oath.”

”But pride will not suffer one to accept it.”

”You are too severe, madame.”

”More so than your Majesty supposes.”

”Countess, you terrify me.”

”Your Majesty?” Anna smiled. ”Why should my lord care aught about severity?”

”More than you suppose,” replied the King, repeating her own words.

”That I cannot understand,” whispered Anna.

”What? Then you do not wish to see that I was conquered by your first glance.”

”That will not last until day-break, I fancy. Your Majesty has this in common with the G.o.ds, that you love and forget easily.”

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