“You wish me to speak?”
“Immediately.”
“Not here,” said he, looking at the others.
“Yes, here; there cannot be too many at such an explanation.”
“Then you mean to say you were not at the last ball?”
“I!” cried the queen, “at the ball at the Opera?”
“Hush, I beg.”
“No, I will not hush; I will speak it aloud. You say I was at the ball?”
“Certainly I do.”
“Perhaps you saw me?” she said ironically.