“No，madame，“repliedthebaron，reddening，“theywelcomedwithastormofenthusiasmthemostbeautifulladyofFrance，theadoredqueen，themotherofallpoorandsufferingones。“
“Andyettherewasadissonantnotewhichmingledwithallthesejubileetones，“saidthequeen，thoughtfully。“Whileallwereshouting，therecameonevoicewhichsoundedtomyearlikethesongofthebirdofmisfortune。Believeme，Besenval，everythingisnotasitoughttobe。Thereissomethingintheairwhichfillsmewithanxietyandfear。Icannotdriveitaway；IfeelthattheswordofDamoclesishangingovermyhead，andthatmyhandsaretooweaktoremoveit。“
“AwoetothetraitorswhohavedaredtoraisetheswordofDamoclesovertheheadofthequeen!“criedthebaron，furiously。
“Woetothem，butwoetometoo!“repliedthequeen，withgentlesadness。“IhavethismorninghadastormyinterviewwithMadameAdelaide。Itappearsthatmyenemieshaveconcoctedanewwayofattackingme，andMadameAdelaidewastheheraldtoannouncethebeginningofthetournament。“
“Didsheventuretobringanyaccusationsagainstyourmajesty？“