That I would never do, but . “
“Then arrest him.” I put my arms about his neck.
“Louis, you must arrest him. If you do not it will seem that even you are against me.
Promise me—promise me now, that you will arrest the Cardinal. “
My poor Louis! Was there ever a more clear example of a man who had the intelligence to know what was the wise thing to do and lacked the will-power to do it? Louis wanted peace. He wanted to hurt no one; he could not stand up against my blandishments even though he knew that I was acting against my own interests. He could not reason against tears and the fury of feather-brained women.
“The Cardinal shall be arrested,” he promised; and I was satisfied.
It was the 15th of August, the Feast of the Assumption. The King summoned the Baron de Breteuil, Minister of his Household, and Monsieur de Miromesnil, Keeper of the Seals, to his cabinet. I was there. The King quickly explained the reason for our presence there and added that he intended that the Cardinal de Rohan should be arrested without delay.
Monsieur de Miromesnil immediately protested: “Sire, Rohan’s rank and family entitle him to be heard before he is arrested Louis wavered, in fact agreeing with Miromesnil, but I put in hastily:
“He has forged my name. He has behaved like a common swindler. I insist that he be arrested.”
I saw Breteuil’s eyes gleam. He hated the Cardinal as much as I did, because be had followed the Cardinal as ambassador to Vienna and since then the Cardinal had made him a butt of his malicious wit.
Breteuil said: “It is clear what has happened. Rohan is the most extravagant man in France. Not only has he rebuilt the episcopal palace in Strasbourg think how much that must have cost him but he has a retinue of women on whom he lavishes a fortune. He has taken up with the sorcerer Cagliostro, who lives at his palace in luxury and who, although he is reputed to make gold and jewels for his patron, costs the Cardinal a great deal to maintain. He has been embarrassed for money for years in spite of his great revenues. He is undoubtedly in debt and this is his means of satisfying his creditors.”
“He has disgraced his cloth and his name,” I said hastily.
“He does not deserve any consideration because of them.”
I could see my husband wavering between what he considered right and what would please me, and I threw him my most appealing glance;
Monsieur de Breteuil, unable to hide his satisfaction in an enemy’s imminent downfall, came in decisively on my side.
The King decided that Rohan should be arrested.
The Feast of the Assumption happened to be my name day and there was to be a special levee at Versailles that I might receive congratulations. Thus the galleries and the Oeil de Boeuf were crowded. As Grand Almoner of France it was the Cardinal’s duty to celebrate Mass in the royal chapel. Unaware of what lay before him he came in his lace rochet and scarlet soutane. He was told that the Ring wished to see him in his cabinet at midday. He must have been surprised that neither the King nor I had appeared in State as was expected on such an occasion; but he came in blithely enough, completely unaware of what was about to break over his head.
He bowed low to the King and me; I deliberately turned my head and behaved as though I did not see him. I was aware of the effect my conduct had on him.
Louis came straight to the point.
“My dear cousin,” he said, ‘did you buy diamonds from Boehmer? “
The Cardinal turned pale, but he answered: “Yes, Sire.”
“Where are they?”
“I believe they have been given to the Queen.”
I gave an exclamation of anger, but the King went on as though he had not noticed: “Who gave you the commission to buy these diamonds?”
“A lady called the Comtesse de la Motte-Valois. She gave me a letter from Her Majesty the Queen. I thought that I should please Her Majesty by carrying out this com mission.”
I could no longer contain myself.
“Do you think. Monsieur, that I should entrust such a commission to you, to whom I have not spoken for eight years? And could you really believe that I would choose to carry through the negotiations by means of this woman?”
The Cardinal was trembling.
“I can see that I have been cruelly deceived. I will pay for the necklace.” He turned to me and his expression was one of humility as though he were begging me for a little sympathy. He would certainly not get it.
“My desire to please Your Majesty blinded me. I did not suspect fraud until now. I am deeply sorry. May I show Your Majesty how I became involved in this matter?”
The King gave his permission, and with shaking hands the Cardinal took a paper from his pocket which he handed to the King. I went swiftly to my husband’s side. There was an undoubted order to buy the necklace; it appeared to have been written by me and addressed to a Comtesse de la Motte Valois
“That is not my writing,” I cried triumphantly.
And see,” said the King, ‘it is signed ” Marie Antoinette de France”.”
He turned sternly to Rohan, who looked as though he would faint, “How could a Prince of the House of Rohan and the King’s Chaplain believe that this is how a Queen of France would sign herself? Surely you know that Queens only sign their Christian names, and that even Kings’ daughters have no other signature, and that if the Royal Family added any other name it would not be ” de France. ” I have a letter here. It is signed by you and addressed to Boehmer. Pray look at me and tell me if this is a forgery.”
The Cardinal swayed slightly. Louis thrust the letter into his hand.
“I … I have no recollection of writing this,” he said.
“It bears your signature. Is that your signature?”
“Yes, Sire. It must be authentic if it bears my signature.”
“I must have an immediate explanation of these matters,” said the King. I could see that he was feeling sorry for Rohan. Such a proud arrogant man, accustomed to making fun of others: now he was about to be brought low. That would seem pathetic to Louis, no matter how villainous the fellow was.
He said gently: “My cousin, I do not want to find you guilty. I should like you to justify your behaviour. Now explain to me the meaning of all this.”
“Sire,” stammered the Cardinal, “I am too distressed to reply to Your Majesty at present…. I am not in the condition …”
The King said kindly: “Try to calm yourself. Monsieur Ie Cardinal, and go into my study. There you will find paper, pens and ink. Write what you have to tell me He left us.
“He is a very guilty man,” said Breteuil; but the King was silent. An affair like this distressed him greatly.
We waited for a quarter of an hour. Outside in the Oeil de Boeuf the crowds must be becoming restive. They would know there was something wrong. The King sat at his table frowning now and then glancing at the dock. Miromesnil looked very uneasy.
It was fifteen minutes later when the Cardinal appeared with a paper on which he appeared to have written very little.
I stood beside the King and read it with him. It was only about fifteen lines and seemed very confused. All I could gather was that a woman calling herself the Comtesse de la Motte-Valois had persuaded him that the necklace was to be bought for me, and that he knew now that this woman had deceived him.
The King sighed and laid down the paper. I would not look in Rohan’s direction but I was aware how his eyes kept turning towards me. I had never hated him so much.
Where is this woman? ” asked the King.
I do not know. Sire. “
Where is the necklace? “
In the hands of this woman. Sire. “