A quarter of an hour after, Beausire’s carriage started, with the two lovers in it. One may imagine the effect of this capture on M. de Crosne. The agents probably did not receive the 1,000,000 francs they hoped for, but there is reason to believe they were satisfied. M. de Crosne went to Versailles, followed by another carriage well guarded. He asked to see the queen, and was instantly admitted. She judged from his face that he had good news for her, and felt the first sensation of joy she had experienced for a month.
“Madame,” said M. de Crosne, “have you a room here where you can see without being seen?”
“Oh yes—my library.”
“Well, madame, I have a carriage below, in which is some one whom I wish to introduce into the castle unseen by any one.”
“Nothing more easy,” replied the queen, ringing to give her orders.
All was executed as he wished. Then she conducted M. de Crosne to the library, where, concealed from view behind a large screen, she soon saw enter a form which made her utter a cry of surprise. It was Oliva, dressed in one of her own favorite costumes—a green dress with broad stripes of black moirée, green satin slippers with high heels, and her hair dressed like her own. It might have been herself reflected in the glass.
“What says your majesty to this resemblance?” asked M. de Crosne, triumphantly.
“Incredible,” said the queen. She then thought to herself, “Ah! Charny; why are you not here?”
“What does your majesty wish?”
“Nothing, sir, but that the king should know.”