"A letter from M. de Jarjayes," she said, and then, in a subdued voice, she hastily read: "I have spoken with the noble messenger whom you sent to me with a letter. He has submitted his plan to me, and I approve it entirely, and am ready to undertake any thing that is demanded of me in behalf of those to whom my life, my property, and my blood belong, and who never shall have occasion to doubt my fidelity. The 'true one' will bring you to-morrow every thing that is needful, and talk the matter over with you.—J." "And now the cigarette," said the queen, taking it out of her basket.
"Let us first tear the paper to pieces," said Princess Elizabeth, warningly.
"No, no, Tison would find the bits, and think them suspicious. I will hide the paper in my dress-pocket, and this evening when we have a light we will burn it. Quickly now, the cigar!"
"A paper cigarette!" said Elizabeth.
"Yes, and see on the outer paper, 'Unroll carefully!'"
And with extreme caution Marie Antoinette removed the external covering. Beneath it was another, closely written over; this the queen proceeded to unfold.
"What is it?" asked the Princess Elizabeth, impatiently.
"See," said Marie Antoinette, with a faint smile:
"'Plan for the escape of the royal family. To learn by heart, and then to burn.' Oh! sister, do you believe that escape is possible for us?"
At this instant Simon was heard outside, singing with his loud, coarse voice: