Madame de Lamballe now availed herself of Andrée’s entrance to take leave.
“Well, Andrée,” the queen then said, “here is this lady whom we went to see the other day.”
“I recognize madame,” said Andrée, bowing.
“Do you know what they have been saying of me?”
“Yes, madame; M. de Provence has been repeating the story.”
“Oh! no doubt; therefore we will leave that subject. Countess, we were speaking of you—who protects you now?”
“You, madame,” replied Jeanne, boldly, “since you permit me to come and kiss your hand. Few people,” she continued, “dared to protect me when I was in obscurity; now that I have been seen with your majesty, every one will be anxious to do so.”
“Then,” said the queen, “no one has been either brave enough or corrupt enough to protect you for yourself?”
“I had first Madame de Boulainvilliers, a brave protector; then her husband, a corrupt one; but since my marriage no one. Oh yes, I forget one brave man—a generous prince.”
“Prince, countess! who is it?”