senge.

Bassenge, however, though perturbed, retained his calm. The Cardinal,
he insisted, was their security, and it was impossible to doubt that
the Cardinal would fulfil his obligations at all costs, rather than be
overwhelmed by a scandal.

And this, no doubt, is what would have happened but for that hasty visit
of Bohmer's to Versailles. It ruined everything. As a result of it,
Bohmer was summoned to wait instantly upon the Queen in the mater of
some paste buckles.

The Queen received the jeweller in private, and her greeting proved that
the paste buckles were a mere pretext. She demanded to know the meaning
of his words to Madame de Campan.

Bohmer could not rid himself of the notion that he was being trifled
with. Had he not written and himself delivered to the Queen a letter
in which he thanked her for purchasing the necklace, and had not that
letter remained unanswered--a silent admission that the necklace was in
her hands? In his exasperation he became insolent.

"The meaning, madame? The meaning is that I require payment for my
necklace, that the patience of my creditors is exhausted, and that
unless you order the money to be paid, I am a ruined man!"

Marie Antoinette considered him in cold, imperious anger.

"Are you daring to suggest that your necklace is in my possession?"

Bohmer was white to the lips, his hands worked nervously.

"Does Your Majesty deny it?"

"You are insolent!" she exclaimed. "You will be good enough to answer
questions, not to ask them. Answer me, then. Do you suggest that I have
your necklace?"

But a desperate man is not easily intimidated.

"No, madame; I affirm it! It was the Countess of Valois who--"

"Who is the Countess of Valois?"

That sudden question, sharply uttered, was a sword of doubt through
the heart of Bohmer's confidence. He stared wide-eyed a moment at the
indignant lady before him, then collected himself, and made as plain a
tale as he could of the circumstances under which he had parted with
the necklace Madame de la Motte's intervention, the mediation of the
Cardinal de Rohan with Her Majesty's signed approval of the terms, and
the delivery of the necklace to His Eminence for transmission to the
Queen.

Marie Antoinette listened in increasing horror and anger. A flush crept
into her pale cheeks.

"You will prepare and send me a written statement of what you have just
told me," she said. "You have leave to go."

That interview took place on A