Jeanne shrugged her shoulders.
“You know women and courts, and believe that? The queen wanted to do a popular act, and she has done it.”
“Good!” said the cardinal; “that is how you believe in the royal virtues. Ah, skeptic, St. Thomas was credulous, compared to you!”
“Skeptic or not, I can assure you of one thing—that the queen had no sooner refused it than she earnestly desired to have it.”
“You imagine all this, my dear countess; for if the queen has one quality more than another, it is disinterestedness. She does not care for gold or jewels, and likes a simple flower as well as a diamond.”
“I do not know that; I only know she wishes for this necklace.”
“Prove it, countess.”
“It is easy. I saw the necklace, and touched it.”
“Where?”
“At Versailles, when the jewelers brought it for the last time to try and tempt the queen.”