“With a gentleman who—— But really, madame, it is useless now. The two adversaries are friends again, for they spoke just now in your majesty’s presence.”
“In my presence!”
“Yes, madame; the conqueror left about twenty minutes ago.”
“M. de Taverney!” cried the queen.
“My brother!” murmured Andrée.
“I believe,” said M. de Crosne, “that it was he with whom M. de Charny fought.”
The queen made an angry gesture. “It is not right,” she said; “these are American manners brought to Versailles. It is not because one has fought under M. Lafayette and Washington that my court should be disgraced by such proceedings. Andrée, did you know your brother had fought?”
“Not till this moment, madame.”
“Why did he fight?”
“If my brother fought,” said Andrée, “it was in your majesty’s service.”