The judges retired from the hall. The sitting had terminated.
"Have I evinced too much contempt for them, sir?" said she, addressing herself to Chauveau Lagarde.
"Ah, Madame," replied he, "you are always right when you act like yourself."
"How proud she is!" cried a woman among the audience, as if a voice from the people had replied to the question of the unfortunate queen to her advocate.
The queen turned and looked at her.
"Yes," repeated the woman, "you are proud, Antoinette; and I tell you, pride has been the ruin of you."
The queen blushed. The Chevalier turned toward the female who had uttered these words, and replied softly, "She was queen."
Maurice seized him by the wrist, saying, in a low tone, "Take care; do not forget yourself!"
"Oh, Monsieur Maurice!" replied the Chevalier, "you are a man yourself, and you know you are speaking to a man. Tell me, oh, tell me! do you think they will condemn her?"