M. de Crosne looked round him rather frightened.
“Never mind these ladies,” said the queen; “you know them both; you know every one.”
“Nearly,” said the magistrate; “and I know the effects, but not the cause, of what has happened to your majesty.”
“Then I must enlighten you, although it is a disagreeable task. I might tell you in private, but my thoughts and words are always open as the day; all the world may know them. I attribute the attacks that have been made upon me to the misconduct of some one who resembles me, and who goes everywhere; and thus your agents have made these mistakes.”
“A resemblance!” cried M. de Crosne, too much occupied with the idea to observe the unquiet look which Jeanne could not for a moment prevent appearing.
“Well, sir, do you think this impossible; or do you prefer to think that I am deceiving you?”
“Oh no, madame! but surely, however strong a resemblance may be, there must be some points of difference to prevent people being so deceived.”
“It seems not, sir; some are deceived.”
“Oh! and I remember,” said Andrée, “when we lived at Taverney Maison Rouge, we had a servant who very strongly——”
“Resembled me?”