“We have suffered, your highness, but there was nothing to forgive.” “The same sweet voice, the same honest face. I will accept both as a good omen. I see now, you came with Dame Tillery and so escaped suspicion. Does the dame know that you are with me?” The queen asked this question with some anxiety; for her faith in Dame Tillery’s discretion was small indeed. “No, lady; it was not my secret to tell.” “Brave girl!” “The Count wanted a messenger who would be safe and silent. He asked me to come and place that in the hands of our queen. I had nothing else to think of, and thanked our blessed Lady that even in that little I might do some service to my sovereign.” “A great service, child—a great service; more than you dream of.” Marguerite’s face brightened. “I wish it had been less easy,” she said, with gentle humility. “Nay, but I am glad that your coming was without suspicion or danger.” “But I should like the danger; then it would seem as if I had done something.” The queen sighed and answered with a faint wave of her hand; then her thoughts seemed to turn to the letter. The cloud of trouble swept over her face again, and she fell into thought, not wild and passionate, as at first, but heavy and harassing doubts, doubled the traces of age on her face. At last she arose with a weary air, and prepared to leave the temple. In her deep preoccupation she forgot Marguerite and going through the door, closed it on the girl. Marguerite, neither spoke nor moved, but stood patiently waiting. She heard the queen pass swiftly around the temple, then all was still again. Was she really left there without directions? What was she to do, how act? Her heart slowly filled with misgiving, she was almost afraid. “She will come back. In her trouble she forgot.” With these thoughts the girl seated herself on the divan, folded her hands, and waited, trembling a little as the utter loneliness crept over her. She had been seated thus, perhaps, ten minutes, when quick footsteps came around the temple again, and she had scarcely time to start to her feet, when the door was pushed open, and Marie Antoinette stood on the threshold. “Ah! you have waited—that was right. Sit down and rest awhile until I come back again; it may be an hour, perhaps two—but wait.” With these words the queen disappeared as swiftly as she had done before. CHAPTER XC. A BITTER HUMILIATION ACCEPTED.