JEANNE PROTECTED.
Mistress of such a secret, rich in such a future, and supported by such
a friend, Jeanne felt herself strong against the world. To appear at
court, no longer as a suppliant, as the poor mendicant, drawn from
poverty by Madame de Boulainvilliers, but as a Valois, with an income
of 100,000 francs; to be called the favorite of the queen, and
consequently governing the king and state through her.—Such was the
panorama that floated before the eyes of Jeanne.
She went to Versailles. She had no audience promised, but she trusted
to her good fortune, and as the queen had received her so well before,
all the officials were anxious to serve her. Therefore, one of the
doorkeepers said aloud, as the queen came from chapel, to one of her
gentlemen, “Monsieur, what am I to do? Here is Madame la Comtesse de la
Motte Valois asking admission, and she has no letter of audience.”
The queen heard and turned round. “Did you say Madame de la Motte
Valois was here?” she asked.
“Your majesty, the doorkeeper says so.”
“I will receive her; bring her to the bath-room.”
The man told Jeanne what he had done. She drew out her purse; but he
said, “Will Madame la Comtesse allow this debt to accumulate? Some day
she can pay me with interest.”
“You are right, my friend; I thank you.”
Marie Antoinette looked serious when Jeanne entered.
“She supposes I am come again to beg,” thought Jeanne.
“Madame,” said the queen, “I have not yet had an opportunity to speak
to the king.”
“Oh, your majesty has already done too much for me; I ask nothing more.
I came——” she hesitated.
“Is it something urgent, that you did not wait to ask for an audience?”
“Urgent! Yes, madame; but not for myself.”
“For me, then?” and the queen conducted her into the bath-room, where
her women were waiting for her. Once in the bath, she sent them away.
“Now, countess.”
“Madame,” said Jeanne, “I am much embarrassed.”
“Why so?”
“Your majesty knows the kindness I have received from M. de Rohan.”
The queen frowned. “Well, madame?”
“Yesterday his eminence came to see me, and spoke to me as usual of
your majesty’s goodness and kindness.”
“What does he want?”
“I expressed to him all my sense of your generosity, which constantly
empties your purse, and told him that I felt almost guilty in thinking
of your majesty’s gift to myself, and remembering that were it not for
such liberality your majesty need not have been forced to deny yourself
the beautiful necklace which became you so well. When I related this
circumstance to M. de Rohan, I saw him grow pale and the tears came
into his eyes. Indeed, madame, his fine face, full of admiration for,
and emotion caused by, your noble conduct, is ever before my eyes.”
“Well, countess, if he has impressed you so deeply, I advise you not to
let him see it. M. de Rohan is a worldly prelate, and gathers the sheep
as much for himself as for his Lord.”
“Oh, madame!”
“It is not I who say it: that is his reputation; he almost glories in
it; his trophies are numerous, and some of them have made no little
scandal.”
“Well, madame, I am sure he thought then of no one but your majesty.”
The queen laughed.
“Your majesty’s modesty will not allow you to listen to praises.”
“Not from the cardinal—I suspect them all.”
“It is not my part,” replied Jeanne, respectfully, “to defend any one
who has incurred your majesty’s displeasure.”
“M. de Rohan has offended me, but I am a queen and a Christian, and do
not wish to dwell on offenses.”
Jeanne was silent.
“You think differently to me on this subject?”
“Completely, your majesty.”
“You would not speak so if you knew what he has done against me; but as
you have so great a friendship for him, I will not attack him again
before you. You have not, then, forgotten the diamonds?”
“Oh, madame, I have thought of them night and day. They will look so
well on your majesty.”
“What do you mean? They are sold to the Portuguese ambassador.”
Jeanne shook her head.
“Not sold!” cried the queen.
“Yes, madame, but to M. de Rohan.”
“Oh,” said the queen, becoming suddenly cold again.
“Oh! your majesty,” cried Jeanne; “do not be ungenerous towards him. It
was the impulse of a generous heart that your majesty should understand
and sympathize with. When he heard my account he cried,—‘What! the
queen refuse herself such a thing, and perhaps see it one day worn by
one of her subjects!’ And when I told him that it was bought for the
Queen of Portugal, he was more indignant than ever. He cried, ‘It is no
longer a simple question of pleasure for the queen, but of the dignity
of the French crown. I know the spirit of foreign courts; they will
laugh at our queen because they happen to have more money to spare: and
I will never suffer this.’ And he left me abruptly. An hour after I
heard that he had bought the necklace.”
“For 1,500,000 francs?”
“1,600,000, madame.”
“With what intention?”
“That at least if your majesty would not have them no one else should.”
“Are you sure it is not for some mistress?”
“I am sure he would rather break it to pieces than see it on any other
neck than your own.”
Marie Antoinette reflected, and her expressive countenance showed
clearly every thought that passed through her mind. At last she said:
“What M. de Rohan has done is a noble trait of a delicate devotion, and
you will thank him for me.”
“Oh yes, madame.”
“You will add, that he has proved to me his friendship, and that I
accept it, but not his gift.”
“But, madame——”
“No, but as a loan. He has advanced his money and his credit to please
me, and I will repay him. Bœhmer has asked for money down?”
“Yes, madame.”
“How much?”
“100,000 francs.”
“That is my quarter’s allowance from the king. I received it this
morning; it is in advance, but still I have it.” She rang the bell. Her
woman came and wrapped her in warm sheets, and then she dressed
herself. Once more alone in her bedroom with Jeanne, she said:
“Open that drawer, and you will see a portfolio.”
“Here it is, madame.”
“It holds the 100,000 francs—count them.”
Jeanne obeyed.
“Take them to the cardinal with my thanks; each quarter I will pay the
same. In this manner I shall have the necklace which pleased me so
much, and if it embarrasses me to pay it, at least it will not hurt the
king; and I shall have gained the knowledge that I have a friend who
has guessed my wishes.” Then, after a pause, “You will add, countess,
that M. de Rohan will be welcome at Versailles to receive my thanks.”
Jeanne went away full of joy and delight.