“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.”