The Queen’s Necklace.

Alexander Dumas.

Note.—The scandal concerning this famous necklace—upon which the story is founded—was one of the many misfortunes endured by the unhappy Queen Marie Antoinette.

Characters:

Monsieur Boehmer. We do not come to offer anything to your Majesty, we should fear to be indiscreet; but we come to fulfill a duty concerning the necklace which your Majesty did not deign to take.

Marie Antoinette. Oh! then the necklace has come again! It was really beautiful, M. Boehmer.

M. B. So beautiful that your Majesty alone was worthy to wear it.

M. A. My consolation is that it cost a million and a half francs, and in these times there is no sovereign that can give such a sum for a necklace; so that although I cannot wear it, no one else can.

M. B. That is an error of your Majesty’s. The necklace is sold.

M. A. Sold! To whom?

M. B. Ah, Madame, that is a state secret.

M. A. Oh, I think I am safe. A state secret means that there is nothing to tell.

M. B. With your Majesty we do not act as with others. The necklace is sold, but in the most secret manner, and an embassador—

M. A. I really think you believe it yourself! Come, M. Boehmer, tell me at least the country he comes from, or, at all events, the first letter of his name.

M. B. Madame, it is the embassador from Portugal.

M. A. The embassador from Portugal! There is none here, M. Boehmer.

M. B. He came expressly for this, Madame.

M. A. Well, so much the better for the Queen of Portugal. We will speak of it no more.

M. B. We could not let the diamonds leave France without expressing our regret to your Majesty. It is a necklace which is now known all over Europe, and we wished to know definitely that your Majesty really refused it before we parted with it.

M. A. My refusal has been made public, and has been too much applauded for me to repent it.

M. B. Oh, Madame, if the people found it admirable that your Majesty preferred a ship of war to a necklace, the nobility at least would not think it surprising if you bought the necklace after all.

M. A. Do not speak of it any more!

M. B. It has touched your Majesty’s neck; it ought not to belong to any one else. We will return to-morrow.

M. A. Impossible! I have amused myself with these jewels; to do more would be a fault.

M. B. Your Majesty, then, refuses them?

M. A. Yes, oh yes. Take the necklace back. Put it away immediately!