“This is kind, but very, very strange,” she said, as if reasoning with herself. “Where and when have we dealt so generously with this lady, that she is ready to stand by the throne when so many that should have upheld it to the last are ready to flee anywhere to save themselves even from unpopularity.” “I was forbidden to explain further than I have already done,” answered the page; “but of this your highness may be certain, so long as my mistress possesses a Louis d’or, it belongs to the Queen of France.” Marie Antoinette was touched by this strange offer. Such generous acts had been very rare with the court of late; and she felt this all the more keenly. She would have given much to know who the friend was who offered such help, and yet concealed everything. “That your highness may have no doubt,” continued the page, “I was empowered to beg your acceptance of this, and to say that twice the amount will await the royal order whenever it is needed.” The page took from the bosom of his dress a slip of paper, which represented so large a sum of money that the queen opened her eyes in astonishment. “There is no need of this now,” she said, with deep feeling; “take it back to the generous lady who sent it. Say that the queen is grateful, but can yet look to the people of France for such support as the throne may need.” “But should the time ever come?” said the page, receiving the order with hesitation. “Then we will refuse help from no loyal man or woman of France who has power or wealth to give—for it will be for the nation not ourselves that we shall receive.” “May the time be far away when France shall be so menaced,” said the page, looking wistfully at the queen’s hand, from which the green tints of the scarabee stood out in dull relief among so many jewels. “But the time may come when even the best friends of the monarchy may not find easy access to the queen, when even the little help my mistress could give would not find its way to the royal coffers.” “Nay, this is a dark view to take even of gloomy times. Those who love their sovereigns have seldom found it difficult to gain access to them through friends or enemies.” “Even now,” said the page, “when my object was a loyal one, I was compelled to crave assistance from yonder good-natured dame, who almost forced a passage for me through the guards.” The queen looked toward Dame Tillery, who was walking up and down in a neighboring avenue, watching the interview between her protegé and the queen with some jealousy and impatience. The smile which brightened that beautiful face seemed to encourage the page. “If I had anything that would insure me entrance to the royal presence without such delay as has impeded me now,” he said, looking so wistfully at the queen’s hand that she observed the glance. “That is easy,” she said, with the quick imprudence of action which cost her so dearly, “one of these——”