“But your majesty was there,” said Madame de la Motte.
“Yes; but I did not do what they insist they saw me do. And they saw me at the Opera, and I was not there. Oh!” cried she, “at last I guess the truth.”
“The truth!” stammered the countess.
“Oh! I hope so,” said Andrée.
“Send for M. de Crosne,” said the queen, joyously.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
M. DE CROSNE.
M. de Crosne had felt himself in no slight degree embarrassed since his interview with the king and queen. It was no light matter to have the care of the interests of a crown and of the fame of a queen; and he feared that he was about to encounter all the weight of a woman’s anger and a queen’s indignation. He knew, however, that he had but done his duty, and he entered, therefore, tranquilly, with a smile on his face.
“Now, M. de Crosne,” said the queen, “it is our turn for an explanation.”
“I am at your majesty’s orders.”
“You ought to know the cause of all that has happened to me, sir.”