"Ah! so you have come, Mayor Petion?" he said. "What is the good word from Paris?"
Petion furnished the account of the state of matters—or, at least, an account.
"Have you nothing more to tell me?" demanded the ruler.
"No," replied Petion, wondering why the other stared at him. Louis watched for the signal that the mayor had accepted the bribe.
It was clear that the king had been cheated; some swindler had pocketed the money. The queen came in as the question was put to Petion.
"How does our friend stand?" she whispered.
"He has not made any sign," rejoined the king.
"Then he is our prisoner," said she.
"Can I retire?" inquired the mayor.
"For God's sake, do not let him go!" interposed the queen.