“I? I? What of me? Leave me out of the question. I’m not going to get married. What about you ? That’s what I want to know.”

The princess saw that her father regarded the matter with disapproval, but at that moment the thought occurred to her that her fate would be decided now or never. She lowered her eyes so as not to see the gaze under which she felt that she could not think, but would only be able to submit from habit, and she said: “I wish only to do your will, but if I had to express my own desire⁠ ⁠…” She had no time to finish. The old prince interrupted her.

“That’s admirable!” he shouted. “He will take you with your dowry and take Mademoiselle Bourienne into the bargain. She’ll be the wife, while you⁠ ⁠…”

The prince stopped. He saw the effect these words had produced on his daughter. She lowered her head and was ready to burst into tears.