“I know it by my calumniated police, madame; and also, which was more difficult, the duel which followed.”
“A duel! M. de Charny fought?”
“With the journalist?” asked Andrée.
“No, madame; the journalist was too well beaten to give M. de Charny the sword-thrust which made him faint here just now.”
“Wounded!” cried the queen; “how and when? He was here just now.”
“Oh!” said Andrée, “I saw that he suffered.”
“What do you say?” cried the queen, almost angrily; “you saw that he suffered, and did not mention it!”
Andrée did not reply.
Jeanne, who wished to make a friend of her, came to her aid, saying, “I also, madame, saw that M. de Charny had difficulty in standing up while your majesty spoke to him.”
“Monsieur,” said the queen again to M. de Crosne, “with whom and why did M. de Charny fight?”