Seeing that he bowed respectfully, according to the regulations, however, she dismissed her servant, who shut the door.
Hardly giving it the time to close, the lady grasped the nobleman's hand with force, and said:
"Why have you come here, count?"
"Because I believe it my duty."
"No; your duty was to flee from Versailles; to do as agreed. To obey me; to act like all my friends—who are afraid of my ill fortune. Your duty is to sacrifice nothing for me; to keep away from me."
"Who keeps away from you?"
"The wise. Whence come you?"
"From Paris, boiling with excitement, intoxicated and bathed in blood."
The Queen covered her face with her hands.
"Alas, not one, not even you, brings me good news from that quarter."