"Well, Citizeness," said he, addressing the one by his side, "have you seen your mother?"
Sophie Tison placed herself immediately between the municipal and her companion.
"Yes, Citizen, thank you," said she.
Maurice had wished to see the young girl's friend, or at least to hear her voice, but she was enveloped in her mantle, and seemed determined not to utter a single word. He also thought that she trembled. This appearance of fear excited his suspicion. He reascended the stairs quickly, and through the glass partition saw the queen endeavoring to hide something in her pocket which looked like a billet.
"Ah! ah!" said he, "I have been duped."
He called his colleague.
"Citizen Agricola," said he, "enter Marie Antoinette's room, and do not lose sight of her."
"Heyday!" said the municipal, "is it because—"
"Enter, I tell you, and do not lose sight of her for an instant, a moment, a second."
The municipal entered the queen's apartment.