THE LETTER AND THE RECEIPT.
The day arrived for the payment of the first 500,000 francs. The
jewelers had prepared a receipt, but no one came with the money in
exchange for it. They passed the day and night in a state of cruel
anxiety. The following day M. Bœhmer went to Versailles, and asked to
see the queen; he was told that he could not be admitted without a
letter of audience. However, he begged so hard, and urged his
solicitations so well among the servants, that they consented to place
him in the queen’s way when she went out. Marie Antoinette, still full
of joy from her interview with Charny, came along, looking bright and
happy, when she caught sight of the somewhat solemn face of M. Bœhmer.
She smiled on him, which he took for a favorable sign, and asked for an
audience, which was promised him for two o’clock. On his return to
Bossange, they agreed that no doubt the money was all right, only the
queen had been unable to send it the day before. At two o’clock Bœhmer
returned to Versailles.
“What is it now, M. Bœhmer?” asked the queen, as he entered. Bœhmer
thought some one must be listening, and looked cautiously around him.
“Have you any secret to tell?” asked the queen, in surprise. “The same
as before, I suppose—some jewels to sell. But make yourself easy; no
one can hear you.”
“Ahem!” murmured Bœhmer, startled at his reception.
“Well, what?”
“Then I may speak out to your majesty?”
“Anything; only be quick.”
“I only wished to say that your majesty probably forgot us yesterday.”
“Forgot you! what do you mean?”
“Yesterday the sum was due——”
“What sum?”
“Pardon me, your majesty, if I am indiscreet. Perhaps your majesty is
not prepared. It would be a misfortune; but still——”
“But,” interrupted the queen, “I do not understand a word of what you
are saying. Pray explain yourself.”
“Yesterday the first payment for the necklace was due.”
“Have you sold it, then?”
“Certainly, your majesty,” replied Bœhmer, looking stupefied.
“And those to whom you have sold it have not paid, my poor Bœhmer? So
much the worse; but they must do as I did, and, if they cannot pay,
send it you back again.”
The jeweler staggered like a man who had just had a sunstroke. “I do
not understand your majesty,” he said.
“Why, Bœhmer, if ten purchasers were each to send it back, and give you
100,000 francs, as I did, you would make a million, and keep your
necklace also.”
“Your majesty says,” cried Bœhmer, ready to drop, “that you sent me
back the necklace!”
“Certainly. What is the matter?”
“What! your majesty denies having bought the necklace?”
“Ah! what comedy is this, sir?” said the queen, severely. “Is this
unlucky necklace destined to turn some one’s brain?”
“But did your majesty really say that you had returned the necklace?”
“Happily,” replied the queen, “I can refresh your memory, as you are so
forgetful, to say nothing more.” She went to her secretaire, and,
taking out the receipt, showed it to him, saying, “I suppose this is
clear enough?”
Bœhmer’s expression changed from incredulity to terror. “Madame,” cried
he, “I never signed this receipt!”
“You deny it!” said the queen, with flashing eyes.
“Positively, if I lose my life for it. I never received the necklace; I
never signed the receipt. Were the headsman here, or the gallows, I
would repeat the same thing!”
“Then, sir,” said the queen, “do you think I have robbed you? do you
think I have your necklace?”
Bœhmer drew out a pocket-book, and in his turn produced a letter. “I do
not believe,” said he, “that if your majesty had wished to return the
necklace, you would have written this.”
“I write! I never wrote to you; that is not my writing.”
“It is signed,” said Bœhmer.
“Yes, ‘Marie Antoinette of France.’ You are mad! Do you think that is
the way I sign? I am of Austria. Go, M. Bœhmer; you have played this
game unskilfully; your forgers have not understood their work.”
“My forgers!” cried the poor Bœhmer, ready to faint at this new blow.
“You suspect me?”
“You accuse me, Marie Antoinette?” replied she.
“But this letter?”
“This receipt? Give it me back, and take your letter; the first lawyer
you ask will tell you how much that is worth.” And taking the receipt
from his trembling hands, and throwing the letter indignantly down, she
left the room.
The unfortunate man ran to communicate this dreadful blow to his
partner, who was waiting in the carriage for him; and on their way home
their gestures and cries of grief were so frantic as to attract the
attention of every passer-by. At last they decided to return to
Versailles.
Immediately they presented themselves they were admitted by the order
of the queen.