“Ah! madame, that is a state secret.”
“Oh!” said the queen, “I think I am safe. A state secret means that there is nothing to tell.”
“With your majesty,” continued Bœhmer, as gravely as ever, “we do not act as with others. The necklace is sold, but in the most secret manner, and an ambassador——”
“I really think he believes it himself!” interrupted the queen, laughing again. “Come, M. Bœhmer, tell me at least the country he comes from, or, at all events, the first letter of his name.”
“Madame, it is the ambassador from Portugal,” said Bœhmer, in a low voice, that Madame de la Motte might not hear.
“The ambassador from Portugal!” said the queen. “There is none here, M. Bœhmer.”
“He came expressly for this, madame.”
“Do you imagine so?”
“Yes, madame.”
“What is his name?”