“Entirely. May I inquire your reason for asking?”
“It is immaterial, madame. Your Majesty’s statement is altogether satisfactory.”
“I must insist on your answering me, monsieur.” The Queen’s tone was imperious, and her eyes shone angrily.
“Since your Majesty insists—If her Royal Highness’s visit were of a political character, I should be compelled to entreat your Majesty to seek another Premier.”
“What! you threaten me, M. le Ministre?”
“Pardon me, madame. I spoke only by your Majesty’s command.”
This was undeniably true, and the Queen turned again to her papers with a good deal of impatience. Presently she looked up once more—
“I believe, monsieur, that my husband intrusted to his valet a letter addressed to you, engaging your care for his son?”
“It is true that his Majesty honoured me so far, madame.”
“I regret that his Majesty did not see fit to ask me to hand it to you. I can assure you I should not have destroyed it.”