“Yes. Did they tell M. de Provence yesterday that I was out? Will you tell the king, for really I forget.”
“Sire,” said Madame de Misery, while the queen took her letters and began to read, “I told Monseigneur le Comte de Provence that her majesty did not receive.”
“And by whose orders?”
“By the queen’s, sire.”
Meanwhile, the queen had opened one of the letters, and read these lines: “You returned from Paris yesterday, and entered the château at eight o’clock in the evening; Laurent saw you.”
Madame de Misery left the room.
“Pardon, sire,” said the queen, “but will you answer me one question?”
“What, madame?”
“Am I, or am I not, at liberty to see M. de Provence only when it pleases me?”
“Oh, perfectly at liberty, madame, but——”