"Slavish soul!" cried the countess, with an expression of unspeakable scorn.
"What did the countess desire of you?" asked the president. "What did you do in her service?"
"I wrote the letters which were intended for the cardinal," answered Retaux de Vilette. "The countess composed them, and I wrote them in the handwriting of the queen."
"How did you know her handwriting?"
"The countess gave me a book in which a letter of the queen's was printed in exact imitation of her hand. I copied the letters as nearly as I could, and so worked out my sentences."
"He lies, he lies!" cried the countess, with a fierce gesture.
"And how was it with the promissory note to the jewellers, Bohmer and Bassenge? Do you know about that?"
"Yes," answered Retaux, with a sigh, "I do know about it, for I wrote it at the direction of the countess, and added the signature."
"Had you a copy?"
"Yes, the signature of the fac-simile."