Stranica 210 [210]
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LABOULAY E78 FATRY BOOK
force me to reveal. The queen never loved me; ambition
alone dictated her conduct."
“That is not so," said the stranger, letting go the prince’s
hand. ‘‘The queen loved you.”
“No, madam,” replied Charming; "my father and I
were the victims of a detestable intrigue.”
" Enough!" said the stranger, whose hands trembled and
whose fingers worked in a strange manner. “Respect the
dead; do not slander them."
“Madam,” said the prince, "I assure you, and none ever
doubted my word, that the queen never loved me. She
was a wicked woman."
“Ah!’’ said the domino.
“Wilful, violent, and jealous.”
“Tf she was jealous, she loved you," interrupted the
mask. ‘‘Seek for proofs which have at least a shadow of
probability; do not accuse a heart which was wholly yours.”
“So far from loving me,” said the king, excitedly, "the
very night of my marriage she dared tell me to my face
that she had married me only for my crown.”
‘That is not true,” said the gipsy, raising her hand.
“TI swear it,” replied Charming.
“You lie!" cried the stranger. And, lo! a box on the ear
blinded the prince; the blow was repeated, and the stranger
fled.
The king stepped back furious, and sought the hilt of his
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