“At the period I mention, all sorts of etiquette had been abolished. The custom which prevented my appearing before the Queen, except at stated hours, had long since been discontinued; and, as all the other individuals who came before or after the hours of service were eyed with distrust, and I remained the only one whose access to Their Majesties was free and unsuspected, though it was very early when M. Laporte called, I thought it my duty to hasten immediately to my royal mistress.
“I found her in bed. ‘Has Your Majesty breakfasted?’ said I.
“‘No,’ replied she; ‘will you breakfast with me?’
“‘Most certainly,’ said I, ‘if Your Majesty will insure me against being poisoned.’
“At the word poison Her Majesty started up and looked at me very earnestly, and with a considerable degree of alarm.
“‘I am only joking,’ continued I; ‘I will breakfast with Your Majesty if you will give me tea.’
“Tea was presently brought. ‘In this,’ said I, ‘there is no danger.’
“‘What do you mean?’ asked Her Majesty.
“‘I am ordered,’ replied I, taking up a lump of sugar, ‘not to drink chocolate, or coffee, or anything with powdered sugar. These are times when caution alone can prevent our being sent out of the world with all our sins upon our heads.’
“‘I am very glad to hear you say so; for you have reason to be particular, after what you once so cruelly suffered from poison. But what has brought that again into your mind just now?’