“Do you speak seriously, sir?” asked the count.
“Perfectly, monseigneur. Her majesty did what Madame de Lamballe states, and nothing more, I feel convinced; my agents were, somehow or other, deceived. As for this journalist, I will immediately send the order for his imprisonment.”
Madame de Lamballe looked from one to the other with an expression of innocent curiosity.
“One moment,” said the king; “you spoke of a lady who came to stop you; tell us who she was?”
“Her majesty seemed to know her, sire.”
“Because, cousin, I must speak to this person; then we shall learn the key to this mystery.”
“That is my opinion also, sire,” said M. de Crosne.
“Did the queen tell you that she knew this person?” said the count.
“She told me so, monseigneur.”
“My brother means to say that you probably know her name.”