“Oh! madame!” cried Jeanne, “we are lost—the cardinal no longer has the money.”
“No, madame; an unexpected creditor claimed this money from him. It was a debt of honor, and he paid it.”
“No, madame, he told me this an hour and a half ago, and confessed to me that he had no other resources.”
The queen leaned her head on her hands; then, after a few moments’ reflection, she said:
“This, countess, is a terrible lesson for me, and a punishment for having done anything, great or small, without the king’s knowledge. It was a folly; I had no need of this necklace.”
“True, madame; but if the queen consulted only her absolute wants——”
“I must consult before everything the tranquillity and happiness of my household. I renounce forever what has begun with so much annoyance. I will sacrifice my vanity on the altar of duty, as M. de Provence would say; and beautiful as this necklace is, you shall carry it back to MM. Bœhmer and Bossange.”
“But, madame, your majesty has already given 100,000 francs for it.”
“Well, I shall gain all the rest that was to have been paid for it.”
“But, madame, they will not like to return your money.”
“I give it up on condition of their breaking the contract. Now, countess, that I have come to this determination, I feel at ease once more. This necklace brought with it cares and fears; diamonds cannot compensate for these. Take it away, countess; the jewelers must be satisfied; they will have their necklace, and 100,000 francs into the bargain.”
“He only acted to give me pleasure, and when he is told it is my pleasure, not to have the necklace, he will understand me, I am sure; and if he is a good friend, he will approve and strengthen me in my sacrifice.” Saying these words, the queen held out the casket to Jeanne.
She did not take it. “Why not ask for time, madame?”
“No, countess, it is humiliation. One may humiliate one’s self for a person one loves, to save a living creature, were it only a dog; but only to keep some sparkling stones—never, countess; take it away.”
“But, madame, it will surely become known that your majesty has had the jewels, and was obliged to return them.”
“No one will know anything about it. The jewelers will surely hold their tongues for 100,000 francs. Take it away, countess, and thank M. de Rohan for his good-will towards me. There is no time to lose; go as soon as possible, and bring me back a receipt for them.”
