“Yes, the queen, for whom Madame de Misery came to fetch me, and who was troubled with her palpitations. If you come from her, tell me, and we will go back together.”
“No, doctor, I do not come from the queen, and was even ignorant that she was suffering. But pardon me, doctor, I scarcely know what I an saying.” In fact, she seemed on the point of fainting.
The doctor supported her. She rallied by a strong effort. “Doctor,” she said, “you know I am nervous in the dark; I lost my way in these intricate passages, and have grown frightened and foolish.”
“And why the devil should you be wandering about these dark passages, since you came for nothing?”
“I did not say I came for nothing, only that no one sent me.”
“Well, if you have anything to say to me, come away from here, for I am tired of standing.”
“Oh, I shall not be ten minutes; can any one hear us?”
“No one.”
“Not even your patient in there?”
“Oh, no fear of his hearing anything.”