Le collier de la reine. English

by Alexandre Dumas

  CHAPTER LXXIV.

  LOVE AND DIPLOMACY.

  The next morning, about ten o'clock, a carriage bearing the arms of M.de Breteuil entered Versailles. Our readers will not have forgotten thatthis gentleman was a personal enemy of M. de Rohan, and had long been onthe watch for an opportunity of injuring him. He now requested anaudience from the king, and was admitted.

  "It is a beautiful day," said Louis to his minister; "there is not acloud in the sky."

  "Sire, I am sorry to bring with me a cloud on your tranquillity."

  "So am I," replied the king, "but what is it?"

  "I feel very much embarrassed, sire, more especially as, perhaps, thisaffair naturally concerns the lieutenant of police rather than myself,for it is a sort of theft."

  "A theft! well, speak out."

  "Sire, your majesty knows the diamond necklace?"

  "M. Boehmer's, which the queen refused?"

  "Precisely, sire," said M. de Breteuil; and ignorant of all the mischiefhe was about to do, he continued, "and this necklace has been stolen."

  "Ah! so much the worse. But diamonds are very easy to trace."

  "But, sire, this is not an ordinary theft; it is pretended that thequeen has kept the necklace."

  "Why, she refused it in my presence."

  "Sire, I did not use the right word; the calumnies are too gross."

  "Ah!" said the king with a smile, "I suppose they say now that the queenhas stolen the necklace."

  "Sire," replied M. Breteuil, "they say that the queen recommenced thenegotiation for the purchase privately, and that the jewelers hold apaper signed by her, acknowledging that she kept it. I need not tellyour majesty how much I despise all such scandalous falsehoods."

  "They say this!" said the king, turning pale. "What do they not say? Hadthe queen really bought it afterwards, I should not have blamed her. Sheis a woman, and the necklace is marvelously beautiful; and, thank God,she could still afford it, if she wished for it. I shall only blame herfor one thing, for hiding her wishes from me. But that has nothing to dowith the king, only with the husband. A husband may scold his wife if hepleases, and no one has a right to interfere. But then," continued he,"what do you mean by a robbery?"

  "Oh! I fear I have made your majesty angry."

  The king laughed. "Come, tell me all; tell me even that the queen soldthe necklace to the Jews. Poor woman, she is often in want of money,oftener than I can give it to her."

  "Exactly so; about two months ago the queen asked for 500,000 francs,and your majesty refused it."

  "True."

  "Well, sire, they say that this money was to have been the first paymentfor the necklace. The queen, being denied the money, could not pay----"

  "Well!"

  "Well, sire, they say the queen applied to some one to help her."

  "To a Jew?"

  "No, sire; not to a Jew."

  "Oh! I guess, some foreign intrigue. The queen asked her mother, or someof her family, for money."

  "It would have been better if she had, sire."

  "Well, to whom, then, did she apply?"

  "Sire, I dare not----"

  "Monsieur, I am tired of this. I order you to speak out at once. Wholent this money to the queen?"

  "M. de Rohan."

  "M. de Rohan! Are you not ashamed to name to me the most embarrassed manin my kingdom?"

  "Sire," said M. de Breteuil, lowering his eyes.

  "M. de Breteuil, your manner annoys me. If you have anything to say,speak at once."

  "Sire, I cannot bring myself to utter things so compromising to thehonor of my king and queen."

  "Speak, sir; if there are calumnies, they must be refuted."

  "Then, sire, M. de Rohan went to the jewelers, and arranged for thepurchase of the necklace, and the mode of payment."

  "Really!" cried the king, annoyed and angry.

  "It is a fact, sire, capable of being proved with the greatestcertainty. I pledge my word for this."

  "This is most annoying," said the king; "but still, sir, we have notheard of a theft."

  "Sire, the jewelers say that they have a receipt signed by the queen,and she denies having the necklace."

  "Ah!" cried the king, with renewed hope; "she denies it, you see, M. deBreteuil."

  "Oh, sire! I never doubted her majesty's innocence. I am indeedunfortunate, if your majesty does not see all my respect for the purestof women."

  "Then you only accuse M. de Rohan?"

  "Yes, sire. And appearances demand some inquiry into his conduct. Thequeen says she has not the necklace--the jewelers say they sold it toher. It is not to be found, and the word 'theft' is used as connectedboth with the queen and M. de Rohan."

  "You are right, M. de Breteuil; this affair must be cleared up. But whois that passing below? Is it not M. de Rohan going to the chapel?"

  "Not yet, sire; he does not come till eleven o'clock, and he will bedressed in his robes, for he officiates to-day."

  "Then I will send for him and speak to him."

  "Permit me to advise your majesty to speak first to the queen."

  "Yes, she will tell me the truth."

  "Doubtless, sire."

  "But first tell me all you know about it."

  M. de Breteuil, with ingenious hate, mentioned every particular which hethought could injure M. de Rohan. They were interrupted by an officer,who approached the king, and said, "Sire, the queen begs you will cometo her."

  "What is it?" asked the king, turning pale. "Wait here, M. de Breteuil."