"Consequently?" she said interrogatively, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" inquired Louis, after a moment's pause.
"I mean that I shall be obliged to return to the resolution I had formed."
"To what resolution?"
"To that which I have already submitted to your majesty."
"When?"
"On the very day we had a certain explanation about Monsieur's jealousies."
"What did you say to me then?" inquired Louis, with some anxiety.
"Do you not remember, sire?"
"Alas! if it be another cause of unhappiness, I shall recollect it soon enough."
"A cause of unhappiness for myself alone, sire," replied Mme. Henrietta; "but as it is necessary, I must submit to it."
"At least, tell me what it is," said the king.
"Absence."
"Still that unkind resolve?"
"Believe me, sire, I have not formed it without a violent struggle with myself; it is absolutely necessary I should return to England."
"Never, never will I permit you to leave France!" exclaimed the king.
"And yet, sire," said madame, affecting a gentle yet sorrowful determination, "nothing is more urgently necessary; nay, more than that, I am persuaded it is your mother's desire I should do so."
"Desire!" exclaimed the king; "that is a very strange expression to use to me."
"Still," replied Mme. Henrietta smilingly, "are you not happy in submitting to the wishes of so good a mother?"
"Enough, I implore you; you read my very soul."
"I?"
"Yes; for you speak of your departure with tranquillity."
"I was not born for happiness, sire," replied the princess dejectedly; "and I acquired, in very early life, the habit of seeing my dearest thoughts disappointed."
"Do you speak truly?" said the king. "Would your departure gainsay any one of your cherished thoughts?"
"If I were to say 'Yes,' would you begin to take your misfortune patiently?"
