Everything will be welcome, if
you will only give me your forgiveness.'
'For example,' said the Emperor. 'It is one of my whims that when a man
enters my service I shall marry him to whom I like. Do you agree to
that?'
There was a struggle upon the poet's face, and he clasped and unclasped
his hands.
'May I ask, sire--?'
'You may ask nothing.'
'But there are circumstances, sire--'
'There, there, that is enough!' cried the Emperor harshly, turning upon
his heel. 'I do not argue, I order. There is a young lady, Mademoiselle
de Bergerot, for whom I desire a husband. Will you marry her, or will you
return to prison?'
Again there was the struggle in the man's face, and he was silent,
twitching and writhing in his indecision.'
'It is enough!' cried the Emperor. 'Roustem, call the guard!'
'No, no, sire, do not send me back to prison.'
'The guard, Roustem!'
'I will do it, sire! I will do it! I will marry whomever you please!'
'You villain!' cried a voice, and there was Sibylle standing in the
opening of the curtains at one of the windows.
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