"
"Then go--go quickly, my old friend."
"Yes, my lord; I ask but for a moment--one is not made of iron," said the
good man, wiping away the traces of his tears; "she must not see that I
have been weeping."
"Excellent man!" replied Rudolph, cordially pressing his hand.
"I am ready. I did not wish to pass through the servants' lines all in
tears, like a Magadalen. But what shall I say?"
"Yes, what shall he say?" demanded the prince from Clemence.
"That M. Ruldolph wishes to see her--nothing more, it seems to me."
"Undoubtedly. Say that M. Rudolph wishes to see her, nothing more. Come,
go--go."
"It is certainly the very best thing that can be said to her," answered the
squire. "I will merely say that M. Rudolph wishes to see her; that will not
cause her to conjecture anything--to foresee anything: it is the most
reasonable way, truly."
But Sir Walter did not stir.
"Sir Walter," said Clemence, smiling, "you are afraid."
"It is true, my lady; in spite of my six-foot stature and my rough
exterior, I am still under the influence of violent emotions."
"My friend, take care," said Rudolph; "wait a moment longer, if you are not
sure of your self-possession."
"This time, my lord, I am victorious," said the baronet, after having
passed over his eyes his Herculean hand. "Really, at my age, this weakness
is perfectly ridiculous. Fear nothing now.
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