“What does she say now?”
“She says that either you or Madame de la Motte has the necklace, for she has not.”
“Well,” replied the cardinal, pale with rage and shame, “go and tell her—no, tell her nothing; there is scandal enough. But to-morrow I officiate at the chapel at Versailles: when I approach the queen, come to us; I will ask her again if she has the necklace, and you shall hear what she replies; if she denies it before me, then, gentlemen, I am a Rohan, and will pay.” And with these words, pronounced with an indescribable dignity, he dismissed them.
[B] The motto of the Rohans.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
LOVE AND DIPLOMACY.
The next morning, about ten o’clock, a carriage bearing the arms of M. de Breteuil entered Versailles. Our readers will not have forgotten that this gentleman was a personal enemy of M. de Rohan, and had long been on the watch for an opportunity of injuring him. He now requested an audience from the king, and was admitted.
“It is a beautiful day,” said Louis to his minister; “there is not a cloud in the sky.”
“Sire, I am sorry to bring with me a cloud on your tranquillity.”
“So am I,” replied the king, “but what is it?”
“I feel very much embarrassed, sire, more especially as, perhaps, this affair naturally concerns the lieutenant of police rather than myself, for it is a sort of theft.”