“The queen!” cried the cardinal, with so truthful a tone of surprise that it duped even Jeanne. “Do you really think the queen came to see you?”
“And you did not suspect it?”
“Mon Dieu, no! how should I? I, who speak to you, am neither son, daughter, nor even relation of Maria Theresa, yet I have a portrait of her about me at this moment. Look,” said he—and he drew out a snuff-box and showed it to her; “therefore you see that if I, who am in no way related to the imperial house, carry about such a portrait, another might do the same, and yet be a stranger.”
Jeanne was silent—she had nothing to answer.
“Then it is your opinion,” he went on, “that you have had a visit from the queen, Marie Antoinette.”
“The queen and another lady.”
“Madame de Polignac?”
“I do not know.”
“Perhaps Madame de Lamballe?”
“A young lady, very beautiful and very serious.”