Now we have nothing more to say to each other. You
requested a half-hour's private audience with me, and the time has
gone. Farewell, madame; my carriage stands ready, and I go to
Trianon. I shall, however, say nothing to the king respecting the
new attack which you have made upon me, and I promise you that I
shall forget it and forgive it."
She nodded lightly, turned herself around, and, with lofty carriage
and proud self-possession, left the apartment.
Princess Adelaide looked after her with an expression of the deepest
hate, and entirely forgetful of her lofty station, even raised her
hand threateningly in the direction of the door through which the
noble figure of the queen had just vanished. "I shall not forget nor
forgive," muttered she. "I shall have my revenge on this impudent
person who dares to threaten me and even to defy me, and who calls
herself my sovereign. This Austrian, a sovereign of the princess
royal of France! We will show her where are the limits of her power,
and where are the limits of France! She shall go back to Austria; we
want her not, this Austrian who dares to defy us."
Proud and erect though the bearing was with which the queen left
Madame Adelaide, she had hardly entered her own room and closed the
door which separated her from her enemy, when she sank groaning upon
a seat, and a flood of tears streamed from her eyes.
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