He approached me with lingering steps and an air of mysterious
importance, while a sort of sardonic grin contradicted the sorrow
he endeavored to force into his countenance. For my own part,
I caused the folding-doors to be thrown open, and advancing
ceremoniously, stood to receive the orders of the king. I bowed
stiffly and silently; and, with something like a malicious
satisfaction, I witnessed the embarrassment into which my cool
and collected manner threw him.
"Madam," said he at last, "I have a painful duty to perform: in a
word, I am the bearer of a
."
"Well, sir! "said I, tranquilly.
"Madam, I must request you to believe how greatly I regret the
task imposed upon me; but my duty and obedience to the king--"
"Would enable you to strangle your nearest relative. All that is
well known; but, in the name of all that is base, cowardly, and
unmanly, could no one but be found to remind a distressed
and afflicted woman that she has lost her only friend and support?"
"Madam, I repeat, obedience--necessity--"
"Enough, sir; I pity you."
"Madam, you outrage the king in my person."
"No, sir; I respect the king too highly to believe that there could
ever be any relation between him and one who is too contemptible
to remind me that he was but a few days back the most cringing
of my servile slaves.
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