Louise was silent for one instant. She felt that the princess would reprove her for her naughtiness; she did not wish to be again treated as a child before the whole court. She hastily resolved to insist upon the truth of her assertion that the letter was hers.
"Madame von Morien wished to take my letter from me," said Louise, giving the latter a perverse look.
"I hope your royal highness knows this impudent child well enough not to put any faith in her words," said Madame von Morien, evasively, not daring to claim the letter as her property.
"Child! She calls me a child!" murmured Louise, enraged, and now determined to revenge herself by compromising Madame von Morien.
"Then the letter does not belong to Louise?" asked the princess royal, turning to Madame von Morien.
"Yes, your royal highness, it is mine," declared Louise; "your royal highness can convince yourself of it. Here is the letter; will you have the kindness to read the address?"
"But this letter has no address," said the astonished princess.
"And still Madame von Morion asserts that it is intended for her," cried Louise, wickedly.
"And Mademoiselle von Schwerin declares it belongs to her," said Madame von Morien, casting a furious look on Louise.
"I implore your royal highness to be the judge," said Louise.