“‘Sdeath! have I not a daughter, and it would be mighty unkind of anybody to slander her by saying she was ice. But I never interfere with my children after they get out of the nursery.”
“But if you had a daughter and the King were to offer her a collar?”
“My friend, pray, no comparisons. I have always lived in the court and you have lived latterly like a Red Indian; there is no likeness. What you call virtue I rate as stupidity. Learn for your guidance that nothing is more impolite than to put it to people what they would do in such a case. Besides, your comparison will not suit. I am not the bearer of a diamond collar to Mdlle. de Taverney, as Lebel the valet of the King is a carrier; when I have such a mission, which is honorable as the present is rich, I am moral as the next man. I do not go near the young lady, who is admirable for her virtue—I go to her father—I speak to you, Taverney, and I hand you the collar, saying: Take it or leave it.”
“If the present is only a matter of custom,” observed the baron: “if legitimate and paternal—— ”
“Why, you are never daring to suspect his Majesty of evil intentions,” said Richelieu, gravely.
“God forbid, but what will the world say—I mean, my daughter—— ”
“Yes or no, do you take it,” demanded the intermediary, shrugging his shoulders.
Out darted Taverney’s fingers, as he said with a smile twin-like to the envoy’s:
“Thus you are moral.”
“Is it not pure morality,” returned the marshal, “to place the father, who purifies all, between the enchanted state of the monarch and the charm of your daughter? Let Jean Jacques Rousseau, who was in these precincts a while ago, be the judge: he will declare that the famous Joseph of Biblical name was impure alongside of me.”