to Cardillac's door just when the murder had been
discovered. She described Madelon's wild terror and sorrow; the
impression made upon her by the beautiful girl; how she had taken her
out of Desgrais's hands, and away with her, amid the applause of the
crowd. The scenes with La Regnie, with Desgrais, with Olivier Brusson
himself, now followed, the interest constantly increasing. The King,
carried away by the vividness with which Mademoiselle Scuderi told the
tale, did not notice that the Brusson case, which he so abominated, was
in question, listened breathlessly, occasionally expressing his
interest by an ejaculation. And ere he was well aware, still amazed by
the marvels which he was hearing, not yet able to arrange them all in
his mind, behold! Mademoiselle Scuderi was at his feet, imploring mercy
for Olivier Brusson.

"What are you doing?" broke out the King, taking both her hands and
making her sit down. "You take us by storm in a marvellous fashion. It
is a most terrible story! Who is to answer for the truth of Brusson's
extraordinary tale?" "Miossen's deposition proves it," she cried; "the
searching of Cardillac's house; my own firm conviction, and, ah!
Madelon's pure heart, which recognises equal purity in poor Brusson."
The King, about to say something, was interrupted by a noise in the
direction of the door. Louvois, who was at work in the next room, put
his head in with an anxious expression. The King rose, and followed him
out. Both Madame de Maintenon and Mademoiselle Scuderi thought this
interruption of evil augury; for, though once surprised into interest,
the King might take care not to fall into the snare a second time. But
he came back in a few minutes, walked up and down the room two or three
times, quickly, and then, pausing with his hands behind his back before
Mademoiselle Scuderi, he said, in a half-whisper, without looking at
her: "I should like to see this Madelon of yours." On this Mademoiselle
Scuderi said: "Oh! gracious Sire! what a marvellous honour you
vouchsafe to the poor unfortunate child. She will be at your feet in an
instant." She tripped to the door as quickly as her heavy dress
allowed, and called to those in the anteroom that the King wished to
see Madelon Cardillac. She came back weeping and sobbing with delight
and emotion. Having expected this, she had brought Madelon with her,
leaving her to wait with the Marquise's maid, with a short petition in
her hand drawn up by D'Andilly.