my queen. She shall henceforth be the divinity whom I serve, and to
whom I will, if I can avail any thing, freely offer my blood and
life. This I swear, and God and the queen have heard my oath!"

And without casting another glance at the queen, without saluting
her, Toulan rose and softly left the room, tightly closing the door
after him.

"Singular," murmured the queen, "really singular. When he took the
oath a shudder passed through my soul, and something seemed to say
to me that I should some time be very unhappy, and that this young
man should then be near me."

"Your majesty is excited to-day, and so every thing seems to have a
sad meaning," said Madame de Campan, softly.

"But the sentence, the sentence!" cried the queen. "Give me the
paper, I will read it myself."

Madame de Campan hesitated. "Would your majesty not prefer to
receive it in the presence of the king, and have it read by his
majesty?"

"No, no, Campan. If it is favorable, I shall have pleasure in
carrying the good news to the king. If it is unfavorable, then I can
collect myself before I see him."

"But it is so dark here now that it will be impossible to read
writing."