Bertin stood behind Georgiana, combing her short gray hair.
"The Queen used to have brown hair," Bertin said as she combed. "But after her escape failed, her hair turned completely white overnight."
"Like mine?" Georgiana asked.
"No, you aren't alike." Bertin hesitated before saying, "Do I get to decide the style of your hat too?"
"Don't concern yourself with that." Georgiana picked up a necklace. "Put this on me."
Bertin took the necklace and fastened it around her neck.
"Go on," Georgiana urged.
"What would you like to hear?" Bertin asked.
"You saw her hair turn white overnight."
Bertin adjusted the ruby necklace for Georgiana, then continued.
"At the time, she was imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Palace of Versailles. You cannot imagine how damp and dark that prison of iron and stone was. The Queen's shoes and stockings had fallen off her feet after being soaked for so long. They only managed to escape because the jailer and his wife helped them." Bertin sighed. "I still remember the first time I saw their daughter. She was a very cute little girl, but the moment she opened her mouth, all that came out was filthy language."
"Did the adults teach her that?" Georgiana asked.
"The Queen was a good person. Everyone who came into contact with her thought so," Bertin said. "On the day of her execution, it was the jailer's daughter who combed the Queen's hair."
Georgiana listened without betraying any emotion.
"The people from the National Assembly did not allow visitors, but the Queen's clothes were torn to rags. I had to bring her something to wear."
"Is that all?" Georgiana said impatiently.
Bertin continued arranging her hair.
"After the King was recognized, they still had a chance to escape. They only needed to leave before the