To the invitation to precede him she readily responded, and, with a bow to the Seneschal, she began to walk across the apartment.
Garnache's eyes, narrowing slightly, followed her, like points of steel.
Suddenly he shot a disturbing glance at Tressan's face, and the corner of his wild-cat mustachios twitched.

He stood erect, and called her very sharply.
"Mademoiselle!" She stopped, and turned to face him, an incredible shyness seeming to cause her to avoid his gaze.
"You have, no doubt, Monsieur le Seneschal's word for my identity.

But I think it is as well that you should satisfy yourself.

Before placing yourself entirely in my care, as you are about to do, you would be well advised to assure yourself, that I am indeed Her Majesty's emissary.
Will you be good enough to glance at this ?" He drew forth as he spoke the letter in the queen's own hand, turned it upside down, and so presented it to her.

The Seneschal looked on stolidly, a few paces distant.
"But certainly, mademoiselle, assure yourself that this gentleman is no other than I have told you." Thus enjoined, she took the letter; for a second her eyes met Garnache's glittering gaze, and she shivered.