"
"I do not desire to be disrespectful," she replied; "but, if I am your
subject, I have the undoubted right to the protection of your laws. I
ask Your Majesty if I am receiving that protection? I ask Your Majesty
if those laws permit one, unaccused of any crime or wrong-doing, to be
held prisoner within the limits of a town? I ask Your Majesty if those
laws sanction such an order as your Governor, yonder, has made
respecting me?"
There was just the proper touch of dignified indignation and feminine
pathos. Indeed, I never saw this rather remarkable woman act her part
better than in that short speech.
The King looked at her, for a bit, in silence--though, whether he was
admiring her as a beautiful woman or as an artistic impersonator, I
could not make out. Doubtless, it was something of both.
"As simple abstract propositions, my dear madame," he said, presently,
"your questions, as put, are entitled to negative replies. But, when
they are applied to the actual facts in the case, as just given by you,
there is a vast difference. If you are the lawfully wedded wife of the
Grand Duke Armand, there is nothing illegal in the order you complain
of. In Valeria, the husband has lawful authority, upon proper cause,
to restrain his wife within even smaller limits than are prescribed for
you.
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