“There will be time for speeches later this evening,” the Prince went on when the applause died down, “and you know how much I want to thank you all for your loyalty, your faith and your endurance. But now I have three things to tell you.
“The first is that I wish to announce that I have given Royal approval to a marriage between my dear cousin and loyal supporter, the Duc d’Abencom, with Lady Clementine Combe who is here with us this evening.”
Atalanta heard both the Duc and Clementine give an audible gasp of astonishment before the applause rang out and anything they said could not be heard.
She saw the Duc put out his hands to Clementine and her face became suddenly radiant before the Prince continued,
“The second thing I have to tell you is that we have with us tonight the man who
