“‘Get me some supper, and see that my people are made comfortable,’ she said, throwing her cloak off and sitting down. ‘We have had a long ride, and are hungry.’ “She spoke like a princess, and waved her hand as if that was enough to make any one obey her. I did not move. I knew this person. Years had changed her; the ups and downs of life had done their work on her face—but I knew her. Now, tell me, can you guess who the woman was?” Monsieur Jacques moved his head impatiently. “How should I know, dame?” “True enough. There may be found so many women travelling from Paris to Versailles, any day of the week, that guessing at this one might be hard. Well, will you believe me when I say——” Here the dame arose, drew close to Monsieur Jacques and whispered so loud that Marguerite heard her. “It was the Countess Du——” “What, that infamous woman!” exclaimed Monsieur Jacques, now thoroughly interested, “at Versailles, too? Why, it is understood that she is in England.” “I tell you she is in this house, with Zamara, that pestilent dwarf that every one hated so. I saw him prowling along the passage just as you came in.” “But what is the woman doing here?” “That is the question, monsieur. She looks anxious and unsettled, older, too, and worn; but there may be found many persons at Versailles who would know her at the first sight, and some of them would not mind doing her an injury. The truth is, I tremble to think that this person is under my roof. If the queen should hear of it, that would be the end of my visit to the Swiss cottages.” “But she must have some strong motive for venturing so near the court, dame; this woman, who comes from the dregs of the people, is worse than an aristocrat. It was her cruelty that choked up the Bastille with innocent victims. With her malice and her beauty she ruled the old king, and oppressed his people, till they hate her even yet when her power is gone.” “Well, as I was saying, she wanted supper, and I ordered the best of everything; went into the kitchen myself and made a delicate patty with my own hands, for she has pleasant ways; and I saw that a purse, which she held in her hand, was heavy with gold. When she had eaten and drank a glass of wine, the anxious look went out from her face, and she insisted that I should sit down and sip a glass of wine with her. Well, this was a change—I can remember when it was almost as much as one’s life was worth to approach her without leave. I sat down. Why not? The queen had permitted it in her presence, and I had no need to be afraid of this woman who would not dare to present herself before her majesty. Thinking all this, I took the glass she offered and drank the wine, waiting quietly to learn what she wanted of me.