He closed the door behind him, but he did not advance into the room.
"At your pleasure, Mademoiselle?" he said simply. "You sent for me, I
think."
She was on her feet, standing before him with something of the
submissiveness of Roxana before her conqueror.
"I did," she said; and stopped at that, her hand to her side as if she
could not continue. But presently in a low voice, "I have heard," she
went on, "what you said, Monsieur, after I lost consciousness."
"Yes?" he said; and was silent. Nor did he lose his watchful look.
"I am obliged to you for your thought of me," she continued in a faint
voice, "and I shall be still further obliged--I speak to you thus quickly
and thus early--if you will grant me a somewhat longer time."
"Do you mean--if I will postpone our marriage?"
"Yes, Monsieur."
"It is impossible!"
"Do not say that," she cried, raising her voice impulsively. "I appeal
to your generosity. And for a short, a very short, time only."
"It is impossible," he answered quietly. "And for reasons, Mademoiselle.
In the first place, I can more easily protect my wife. In the second, I
am even now summoned to the Louvre, and should be on my way thither. By
to-morrow evening, unless I am mistaken in the business on which I am
required, I shall be on my way to a distant province with royal letters.
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