The cardinal laughed.
“Ah, you laugh, sir; you think if I call they will not come.”
“Oh, you quite mistake, countess. I am nothing here, only your guest. Apropos,” continued he, as if it had just entered his head, “have you heard anything more of the ladies who came to see you?”
“The ladies of the portrait?” said Jeanne, who, now knowing the queen, saw through the artifice.
“Yes, the ladies of the portrait.”
“Monseigneur, you know them as well and even better than I do, I feel sure.”
“Oh, countess, you do me wrong. Did you not express a wish to learn who they were?”
“Certainly; it is natural to desire to know your benefactors.”
“Well, if knew, I should have told you.”
“M. le Cardinal, you do know them.”