CHAPTER LX.
THE RECEIPT OF MM. BOEHMER AND BOSSANGE, AND THE GRATITUDE OF THEQUEEN.
The result of Madame de la Motte's visit to M. Reteau de Villetteappeared the next day. At seven o'clock in the morning she sent to thequeen the following paper:
"We, the undersigned, acknowledge having received back again the diamond necklace sold to the queen for 1,600,000 francs, the diamonds not suiting her majesty, who has paid us for our loss and trouble 100,000 francs.
"BOEHMER AND BOSSANGE."
The queen, now tranquil about the whole affair, locked up the receipt,and thought no more of it.
But, in strange contradiction to this receipt, the jewelers received avisit two days after from M. de Rohan, who felt uneasy about thepayment.
If the instalment had not been paid, he expected to find them naturallyannoyed; but to his great satisfaction they received him with smiles.
"The queen has paid, then?" he asked.
"No, monseigneur, the queen could not procure the money, as the king hadrefused it to her; but she has guaranteed the debt, and that fullysatisfies us."
"Ah! so much the better; but how? Through the countess?"
"No, monseigneur. On hearing of the king's refusal, which soon becamepublic, we wrote to Madame de la Motte----"
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"And she replied?"
"By one word, 'Wait.' That evening we received from the queen, by acourier, a letter."
"A letter to you?"
"Or rather a guarantee, in due form."
"Let me see it."
"Oh! we would with pleasure, but her majesty enjoins that it is not tobe shown to any one."
"Then you are safe?"
"Perfectly, monseigneur."
"The queen acknowledges the debt?"
"Fully."
"And engages to pay?"
"500,000 francs in three months, the rest in six;" and she adds, "letthe affair rest between ourselves. You will have no cause to repent it."
"I am charmed that it is settled," said the cardinal.
We must now raise the veil, though, doubtless, our readers comprehendhow Jeanne de la Motte had acted towards her benefactress, and how shehad managed to satisfy both the queen and the jewelers by borrowing thepen of M. Reteau.
Three months were thus obtained for the completion of her design ofcrime and deception, and within three months everything would bearranged.
She went to M. de Rohan, and repeated to him what the jewelers hadalready told him.
He asked if the queen remembered his good intentions. She drew a pictureof her gratitude, which enchanted him.
Her intention had been to sell some of the diamonds to the value of100,000 crowns, and then pass over to England, where, when necessary,she could dispose of the remainder. But her first essay frightened her;some offered despicably small sums for the stones, others went intoraptures, declaring they had never seen such diamonds but in thenecklace of MM. Boehmer and Bossange.
She abandoned this course, therefore, which she saw might soon bringabout her ruin. She shut up the diamonds carefully, and resolved towait. But her position was critical. A few words of explanation betweenthe queen and the cardinal, and all would be discovered. She consoledherself by thinking that the cardinal was too much in love not to fallinto all the snares she might lay for him.
One thought alone occupied her--how to prevent their meeting. That hewould not be long satisfied without an interview she knew--what shouldshe do? Persuade him to ask for one, and offend the queen by hispresumption?--but then the queen would speak her anger out, and allwould come to light. She must compromise her, and endeavor so to closeher lips. But if they met by chance, what remained for her but flight?That was easy; a few hours would suffice. Then, again, she thought ofthe name she would leave behind her, and bear with her; no longer awoman of rank, but a thief, whom justice only does not reach, becauseshe is too far off. No, she would not fly, if she could help it. Shewould try what audacity and skill could do, remain here and act betweenthem. "To prevent them from meeting--that is the difficulty, as he is inlove, and a prince, who has a right to see the queen; and she is nowgrateful and will no longer fly from him; but if I excite him to tooopen an admiration and disgust her, I alienate them more than ever. Shewill take fire easily, but what I want is something to make the queentremble as well as him; something which would give me power to say, 'Ifyou accuse me, I will accuse you and ruin you--leave me my wealth, and Iwill you your honor.' This is what I must seek for, and what I mustfind."