wish to take the apple from you, in order to be driven out of
paradise with you. But still! the queen is coming."

Yes, just then the queen entered the apartment. Her cheeks were
glowing red by reason of her run, her bosom heaved violently with
her hurried, agitated breathing. Her hat had fallen upon one side,
and the dark blond hair was thrown about in wild confusion.

It was not the queen who entered the saloon, it was only Marie
Antoinette, the simple, young woman, greeting her friends with
brilliant glances and lively nods. It had been made a rule with her,
that when she entered, no one should rise, nor leave the embroidery,
or piano-playing, or any other occupation.

The women remained at their work, Lords Besenval and Adhemar went on
playing their game of backgammon, and only the Count de Vaudreuil
rose from his place at the approach of the queen.

"What have you been playing, count?" asked Marie Antoinette. "I beg
your pardon, if I leave your question unanswered," replied the
count, with a gentle inclination of the head. "Your majesty has such
a fine ear, that you must doubtless recognize the composer in the
music. It is an entirely new composition, and I have taken the
license of arranging it for four hands. If your majesty would
perhaps be inclined-"

"Come," interrupted the queen, "let us try it at once."

Quickly, and with feverish impatience, she drew her black netted
gloves from her delicate white hands, and at once took her place