Gabrielle looked round at Madeleine with surprise, but the queen's flower-girl repeated, fixing her eye steadily on her, 'Françoise Rolin.'
'Well, follow me, my girls,' said the princess.
When they stood before the queen, Madeleine bent, as she was accustomed; but Gabrielle, unacquainted with etiquette, looked earnestly in the face of Marie Antoinette.
The queen smiled. The expression of the young countenance was one of simple admiration.
'Oh! how beautiful you are, madame!' escaped involuntarily from the lips of the peasantess.
The queen was pleased; a little colour rose to her cheek, and she held out her hand, which Gabrielle kissed reverently.
'It is not polite to flatter any person to her face,' said Marie Antoinette; 'but, as you have broken rule, I must follow suit, and assure you that you have a charming little face. What is your name, mignonne?'
'Her name, if it please your majesty, is Françoise Rolin,' answered Madeleine.
The queen turned to her and said, sharply, 'When I speak to you, answer me. I addressed my question to this child. Is she any relation of yours?'
'Your majesty, she is my cousin.'