The old gentleman went on as follows:⸻Whiskers! cried the queen of Navarre , dropping her knotting ball, as La Fosseuse uttered the word⸺Whiskers, madam, said La Fosseuse , pinning the ball to the queen’s apron, and making a courtesy as she repeated it.
La Fosseuse’s voice was naturally soft and low, yet ’twas an articulate voice: and every letter of the word Whiskers fell distinctly upon the queen of Navarre’s ear—Whiskers! cried the queen, laying a greater stress upon the word, and as if she had still distrusted her ears⸺Whiskers! replied La Fosseuse , repeating the word a third time⸺There is not a cavalier, madam, of his age in Navarre , continued the maid of honour, pressing the page’s interest upon the queen, that has so gallant a pair⸺Of what? cried Margaret , smiling—Of whiskers, said La Fosseuse , with infinite modesty.