“Then the English, our enemies, have attacked you with their guns and their power, but still you are safe; and on account of the enemies you have conquered, the king felicitates and admires you, and the people bless and love you; therefore, blessed are such enemies who menace us only with death. Our enemies do not endanger existence, it is true, but they add years to our lives; they make us bow the head, fearing, though innocent, to meet, as I have done, the double attacks of friends and enemies. And then, sir, if you knew how hard it is to be hated!”
Andrée listened anxiously for his reply, but he only leaned against the wall, and grew pale.
The queen looked at him, and said, “It is too hot here; Madame de la Motte, open the window; monsieur is accustomed to the fresh sea-breezes; he would stifle in our boudoirs.”
“It is not that, madame; but I am on duty at two o’clock, and unless your majesty wishes me to remain——”
“Oh! no, monsieur; we know what duty is. You are free,” said the queen, in a tone of slight pique.
Charny bowed, and disappeared like a man in haste; but in a minute they heard from the ante-chamber the sound of a groan, and people hurrying forward. The queen, who was near the door, opened it, and uttered an exclamation; and was going out, when Andrée rose quickly, saying, “Oh no! madame.”
Then they saw through the open door the guards assisting M. de Charny, who had fainted. The queen closed the door, and sat down again, pensive and thoughtful. At last, she said, “It is an odd thing, but I do not believe M. de Charny was convinced!”
“Oh, madame! in spite of the king’s word—impossible!”
“He may have thought the king said it for his own sake.”
“My brother was not so incredulous,” said Andrée.
“It would be very wrong,” continued the queen, not heeding her; “he could not have as noble a heart as I thought. But, after all, why should he believe? He thought he saw me. They all thought so. There is something in all this; something which I must clear up. Andrée, I must find out what it all means.”
“Your majesty is right; you must investigate it.”
“For,” continued the queen, “people said they saw me at M. Mesmer’s.”
“But your majesty was there,” said Madame de la Motte.