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They made entertainments on our account, and seemed to express their joy at seeing us by the elegant variety of amusements they prepared to welcome our arrival. 102 The Diamond Necklace. Since they had heard of our reception at Court, and of our connection with the Marchioness de Boulain- villiers,towhom we gratefully attributed the splendour of that reception, they all seemed to vie with each other who should pay us the greatest attention. We were even solicited by many to reside in their houses, that we might more commodiously enjoy the entertainments prepared for us, which were, in fact, as far as the country would permit, one continued round of diversion. In the midst of this round of merriment, I was not inattentive to the cries of the oppressed. The Countess de Ligneville, detained by letter-de-cachet, had been cruelly treated by those relujieuses, who from the mild dictates of Christianity should have learned a better lesson than that of persecution. I remembered that I myself had been once exposed to the stings of misfortune, the sport of every blast. I had been my- self the victim of oppression ; and adversity tends to soften the heart. I resolved to interest myself in her favour : I had not been more than eight days in the cloister before I saw howmuch this imfortunate lady was oppressed. She had written to her friends, who had been as unfeeling as the religieuscs ; and the neglect of those who should have protected her, instead of inclining them to the kinder offices of consolation which religion dictates, sanctioned the continuance of their oppression. Her situation commanded my compassion, and I gave full and explicit information of their conduct to her female relatives. To the Countess de Bussiot, her cousin, whom I had very often the honour of seeing at Paris, the Due de Deux Fonts, and her brother tha Tlie Diamond Necklace. 103 Count de Ligneville, I wrote a very clear and nn- exaggerated statement of the Countess's grievances, conjuring them, to interest themselves in procuring her redress with all possible expedition ; and they did me the honour to answer me immediately, assuring me that there should be an alteration. About a fortnight after, the Countess de Ligneville was sent back to Ligny, in Lorraine, to a convent of the Augustines, where she was treated with much greater lenity, and had liberty to go out to any part within the confines of the town. I have had the pleasure of seeing her several times since, and she has expressed her thanks for the favours she received, which she gratefully attributed to my intercession. Madame de Boulainvilliers, who from her rank had a very extensive acquaintance, had given us letters of recommendation, through which we were universally well received. Among those with whom we were more particularly intimate, was Madame Clausse de Suremont, aunt to M. de la Motte, of whom, here- after, I shall have much to say. This lady, by her insinuating address and amiable manners, soon con- trived to disgust us with the convent: in short, she enticed us away to board at her house, where we were very elegantly entertained at four hundred livres per annum. In small towns, inhabited by a few families, who think themselves equal, if not superior, to their neigh- bours, envy is not uncommon, and scandal too fre- quently predominant. To illustrate this assertion, I must observe that many of those who visited us at our convent now suddenly ceased visiting us. Dis- pleased at our rejecting their solicitations, and giving 104 The Diamond Necklace. the preference to Madame de Suremont, they whispered their surprise that we should reject so many offers of elegant houses and better accommodations, and at length take up our residence in what they were pleased to term the worst. When we went to the assemblies, which were in- deed very frequent at Bar-sur-Aubc, where, though but thinly inhabited, families vied with each other in luxury and dissipation, scandal was busy with whispers, and they seemed to drop their private dis- sensions, delighting in any ridicule against Madame de Suremont, my sister, and myself. Madame de Suremont saw their behaviour, and took occasion to remark that, far from being cha- grined, she was sensible they paid her a compliment. She treated us with particular complaisance, anti- cipated all our wishes, and accommodated us with everything we had occasion for. Being a woman of spirit and fond of amusements, she spared no expense at her entertainments, over which she did us the honour to appoint us presidents ; and the young people in the neighbourhood expressed their satisfaction by a numerous and constant attendance. Soon after this, we paid our respects to the Bishop of Langres, where we continued only a few days, but were treated with the greatest cordiality, and the utmost politeness. "We next visited the Bai-oness de Pontcher, to whom we were recommended by our friend Madame de CTiabert; here we were not re- ceived with the poL.eness we expected, which the extreme age of the Baroness, then almost a hundred years old, and the subsequent apology for her conduct, sufficiently excused. The company were at dinner The Diamond Necklace. 105 when we arrived ; but the Baroness neglecting even to ask us to be seated, we immediately set off from De Chassie, her villa, to the Countess de Vilbertin's, about eight leagues distant. We arrived about six o'clock in the evening, and the politeness of that lady's reception made ample amends for the disap- pointment wo had experienced. After spending a week at the Countess de Vilbertin's, we returned to Bar-sur-Aube, where we re-commenced our cus- tomary diversions. Amongst many other amuse- ments, we frequently performed comedies, in one of which I engaged to take a part. The evening ap- pointed for the representation of this play approaching, it became necessary that I should lose no time in pre- paration. M. de la Motte, an officer in the gendarmes, and nephew of Madame de Suremont, being on a visit to Bar-sur-Aube, acquired great reputation for his performances, and became remarked for his assi- duity and endeavours to please. The part of a valet was assigned to him, and that of a waiting-maid to myself; we divided the applause of the company, for having, as they were pleased to express it, "sustained our characters with so much propriety." This en- couragement excited my partiality for a diversion to which I had already a predilection, and in which M. de la Motte also displayed great taste. From the moment of our first interview, M. de la Motte paid me very particular and pointed attention ; he eager'y seized every opportunity of showing how Bolicitous he was to please ; his compliments were not glaring, but of that delicate nature which could only proceed from the genuine dictates of an honest heart. Elegant in person and manners, insinuating Io6 The Diamond Necklace. in address, the honourable intention which he mam fested could not prove disagreeable to me. I listened, and, what is, I believe, generally the consequence where any of our sex listen to the persuasions of youth, elegance, and accomplishments in the other, was very soon in love with him. At length mutual attention produced mutual affec- tion. The observations of the men on this subject, however they might be pleasing to M. de la Motte, I shall not repeat, but content myself with observing that some of the women regarded me as an object of envy. Madame de Suremont perceived the growing at- tachment of her nephew, and afforded him every op portunity of urging his suit. She frequently left us together when the company were gone, engaging M. de la Motte to remain and write out my parts, and give me instructions in acting them. Young and inexperienced, let me anticipate the ob- jections of prudery, and obviate them by my replies. Was it consistent with the delicacy of the female character, that I should permit a young man to be alone with me, at such hours, and upon such pre- tences ? At that period, unconscious of guilt, I was consequently unacquainted with fear. My heart, filled with the pleasure it received from his conversa- tion, taught me to believe that I was not acting wrong; and that Madame de Suremont would not have permitted these interviews, if she had thought otherwise. I will candidly confess that I loved M. de la Motte. He possessed a sincerity of heart seldom to be found but in the country, blended with those polished The Diamond Necklace. 107 manners which are not often excelled in the metro- polis. He seized every opportunity of rendering him- self agreeable, and I had every reason to suppose he entertained favourable sentiments for me ; at least I wished so, and the gradation is so natural, that it will not appear strange if I believed it. M. de la Motte, I had remarked for some days, ap- peared thoughtful and melancholy; but as he had never communicated to me the cause, though I was uneasy at the effect of it, I forbore to make inquiry. He advised me to go to Paris to see my brother, and to make his pretensions known to the Marchioness, my worthy mother, and endeavour to obtain her consent to our union. Fearful that breaking this matter suddenly to the Marchioness, after having carried it on so far without her knowledge, might give her offence, I hesitated some time ere I could form a resolution to acquaint her ; but, trusting to her goodness, I at length yielded to his arguments in favour of a determination which was also consonant to the dictates of my own heart. When I had resolved on a journey to Paris, which highly gratified M. de la Motte, I left him to write a letter to Madame de Boulainvilliers and my brother, informing the Marchioness that having heard of my brother's arrival, and anxious to see him, I should be at Paris the Saturday following by eight o'clock. The interval was occupied by M. de la Motte in giv- ing me directions for my behaviour, and earnestly pressing me to return as soon as possible, and com- plete his happiness by the celebration of the nup- tials. Not a single person in the house, not even my The Diamond Necklace. sister, was acquainted with what was in contemplation. The attentions of M. de la Motte had long been ob- served, and our marriage was whispered only as a conjecture. On the Wednesday following, about three in the morning, I set off in the diligence, and after a tedious and disagreeable journey, over roads which proved both the neglect of the government and the patience of the people, I arrived near Paris, and found Julia, the Marchioness's first woman, waiting with a coach at the gate of St. Antoine. I was not a little pleased at being so near the end of my journey, and felt no regret at quitting my disagreeable vehicle, for the one which conveyed me to the Hotel de Boulainvilliers. I was impatient to see my brother, but I was dis- appointed ; he had received orders to join his depart- ment at Brest. This intelligence Julia did not give me : probably she had received injunctions from the Marchioness to conceal it. Madame de Boulainvilliers received me with that cordiality and affection with which the tenderest of mothers would receive her daughter after a long ab- sence. She told me that my brother would not have written to inform me of his arrival, if it could have been foreseen hoAv soon he was to depart. This information gave me much uneasiness, which Madame de Boulainvilliers, who seemed delighted to see me, was very assiduous to dissipate. How different was our reception by this amiable mother to that of her husband ! The Marquis de Boulainvilliers, whom I saw but a short time, received me with coldness and indifference ; but this was entirely obliterated by the kindness and condescension of the Marchioness, The Diamond Necklace. The evening was occupied by many questions which the Marchioness de Boulainvilliers asked me relative to Bar-sur-Aube, concerning our reception, and the diversions and entertainments of the place. I took advantage of this opportunity to mention the comedy. I perceived from her glances at Madame de Tonneres, her daughter, that she had some private correspon- dent in that place, who had informed her of more than I knew, and that the information I gave them was by no means novel. This did not a little surprise me. A day or two after they resumed this topic, and Madame de Tonneres asked me what was the cha- racter which I played. I told her that of a waiting- maid. She seemed surprised that I should choose a part like that, when there were many others for which T was much better adapted. " But who," said Madame de Boulainvilliers, "was the young man who played the part of Jasmin ? Is he a young man ? Pray how old is he ?" I could not well comprehend the drift of these questions, which, nevertheless, I found myself con- strained to answer. " He is a young gentleman," replied I, " who has a commission in the gendarmes;" and I gave them information respecting his family. " And what do you think of him ?" "That he has a pleasing address, is much of a gentleman, and has received a very good education \ understands music, dances to perfection ; everybody gives him the character of being a very accomplished young man, and that he played his character like an experienced actor." I HO The Diamond Necklace. Perceiving me warm in my encomiums, tlie Mar- chioness smiled. Her daughter observed it, and they exchanged some very significant glances with each other. Madame de Boulainvilliers resumed her questions. " Pray, my dear," said she, "who wrote your parts and rehearsed with you ? " " Monsieur de la Motte, my dear mamma," replied I. They then cesaed to question me any more that day concerning M. de la Motte ; and to avoid giving me any suspicions, changed the subject of the conver- sation. Madame de Boulainvilliers desired the works of Racine to be brought, from which she asked me to recite some passages, apparently to judge of the man- ner in which I played them, but in fact to introduce an occasion of speaking of Monsieur de la Motte. "And so he is very well bred," interrupted the Marchioness ; " Monsieur de la Motte is very accom- plished ?" " Yes, my dear mamma." " Then he is not badly calculated for the part of Jasmin ?" " It may not, perhaps, be perfectly consonant with his position, nevertheless he filled it extremely well." " Does he often engage you to dance with him ?" "He never, my dear mamma, dances without me." Madame de Tonneres, with whom I was frequently alone, examined me yet more closely than Madamo lie Boulainvilliers: the age of the former lady being nearer to mine, gave her an opportunity of prying much closer into my affairs. " What ! " said she, in a tone of raillery, " did thia The Diamond Necklace. Ill presumptuous wretch ever aspire to bo your hus- band?" " Oh, yes ! he proposed demanding me in marriage through his mother, at the same time informing me of his fortune and expectations." " And what answer did you make, my dear?" " That I would beg Madame de Boulainvilliers to give her consent." " But did you make him no promises of your own accord? And are you really partial to him ?" I answered these questions in the affirmative. "Well then, my dear, from your approbation, I will believe him worthy of your love." "Then do me the favour," I replied, "to represent my affection to my dear mather at some convenient opportunity when I am not present, and you may, if you please, inform her at the same time that M. de la Luzerne, Bishop of Langres, can give her every information of tho family, with which he is well acquainted, and indeed is requested by tho mother of M. de la Motte to demand me in marriage." It must be observed, that I had written to that reverend prelate, entreating him to use his interest with the Marchioness, and a lady of my acquaintance had advised me to place the greatest confidence in him, that he might have it in his power to arguo closely with Madame de Boulainvilliers. I, indeed, had often thought of tho propriety of this measure, and had as often deferred it, till at length I thought it best to act upon the advice of a female friend, who, not immediately interested, could give me the best counsel. Madame de Tonneres kindly undertook my cause 1 12 The Diamond Necklace. with the Marchioness, -who, having my happiness at heart, wished me, in a matter which could be resolved on but once, to take time for deliberation. " Be not, my dear," said that amiable and sensible lady, "in love with a man merely because he has performed the part of a lover in the same play; perhaps your imagination has been warmed by the character you played in concert. Ah, my dear child! absence is the touchstone of true love; suffer this young man to leave the country, examine your senti- ments, and weigh them well; separation may perhaps efface your partiality, but if you find your affections absolutely engaged, assure yourself that I shall be iflie last person to oppose your happiness, if happiness can be found in the marriage state; but put your lover to the proof, consider if he has no essential defect which the blindness of passion may have over- looked." Thus did this tender and affectionate mother, who probably felt that marriage was not the happiest state in the world, though she had the prudence to conceal it, endeavour, by arguments clothed in accents of maternal tenderness, to persuade me to deliberate well before I entered into an engage- ment, among the most solemn and the most im- portant an engagement which either constitutes the joys of heaven, or the keenest tortures of the infernal world. Though Madame de Boulainvilliers seemed rather to dissuade me from my purpose than consent to its accomplishment, she nevertheless consented to write to the Bishop of Langres, who the very next evening her a visit: that lady was pleased with the The Diamond Necklace. 113 opportunity of forming an acquaintance with a man of such abilities and merit. As soon as he arrived I made my obeisance and retired, leaving him and "the Marchioness to their private conference. I was in no small degree of anxiety to learn the result of a negociation of such importance to me, yet was at a loss of whom to inquire. Next morning I was relieved from my suspense by receiving a letter from the reverend prelate, informing me of their con- versation the evening before ; he gave me some hopes of obtaining the consent of the Marchioness; as to the Marquis, he declared that he would have nothing to do with making marriages that he should not trouble himself in giving any advice, but that he thought Mademoiselle Valois was a giddy young girl. He never mentioned the subject to them again, but he passed his jokes on me, saying, with a sneer, " Don't expect my consent, for I shall never give it." Madame de Boulainvilliers wished me to remain with her for a month, but being anxious to return, I pleaded in favour of my departure the most effectual excuse to a lady of her religious sentiments that I was constrained to take the communion at Bar-sur- Aube on the last day of Easter. Madame signified her approbation; she took me to the Tenebrae of Longchamps, to the Concerto Sprituale, and to every other place where she thought I might be amused. After many maternal admonitions she bade me an affectionate adieu, and presented me with twelve louia to pay my expenses on the road. My reluctance at parting with my affectionate mother was increased by the mortification of not seeing my brother, and returning without the 1 14 The Diamond Necklace. of the Marchioness, which, though the express object of my journey, I could not consistently with delicacy or duty press any farther, lest I should appear too precipitately to reject the prudent advice, and incur, in her opinion also, the imputation of giddiness. My return to Bar-sur-Aube was much more agree- able than my journey to Paris. I had written to my sister and M. de la Motte to apprise them of my arrival. She met me about two leagues from Bar-sur-Aube, at a beautiful seat, the residence of M. de la Motte's mother. That gentleman had pro- ceeded on horseback as far as Vendhurst, a small village about three leagues from Bar-sur-Aube. The news of my departure and the object of my journey had transpired, and extended to the village ; every one spoke of my marriage with M. de la Motte. It was whispered that Mademoiselle de Valois had returned, with the consent of her brother and Madame de Boulainvilliers to solemnize this marriage; all received me with as much pleasure as if, instead of a week, I had been absent a year. M. de la Motte received me with the most heart- felt satisfaction, but his countenance seemed to betray much anxiety ; his pleasure was damped by dark anticipations of the future ; he feared that it was the intention of Madame de Boulainvilliers to have married me to some other husband, and trembled for the success of my embassy ; he read in my counten- ance that all was not as it should be, while the words which dropped from Madame de Boulainvilliers made me doubtful whether I should be able to obtain her consent. The uneasiness which on this account over- spread my countenance was intelligible only to M. The Diamond Necklace. 115 de la Motto, by whose advice, and to obviate every objection, I was prevailed upon to take the only step prudence dictated in so delicate and embarrassing a circumstance. My pen was the instrument by which I disclosed a secret my timidity could never suffer my tongue to utter. I immediately wrote to Madame de Boulain- villiers three successive letters, entreating her to compassionate my distress, and to let her consent grace our union. I also wrote to the Bishop of Lan- gres, entreating that worthy prelate, who had before done me signal service, to intercede with the Mar- chioness in my behalf. The intercession of the bishop I was confident would have its due weight, which, added to the sen- sibility of my worthy mother, who I hoped would agree to what could not be altered, at length elicited the consent so essential to my future happiness. My applications took up some time, and the interval between them and their success was to me a condition of so much anguish of mind, that I find language as inadequate to convey any idea of it as it is to describe the joy I felt on being relieved from such anxiety. I had no confidante ; my uneasiness was unknown to my sister ; nay, I concealed it from M. de la Motte. The approbation of Madame de Boulainvilliers having now given a sanction to our proceedings, by the advice of the friends of M. de la Motte an early day was appointed for the celebration of the nuptials. M. de Boulainvilliers having refused to be my guardian, we appointed M. Armintot, Lord of Bou- chemin, my cousin, to stand in his place, and I n6 The Diamond Necklace. was married, according to the custom of that pro- vince, at midnight. The church was much crowded \ my sister was far from congratulating me on the occasion, as she had imbibed a strange presentment that my marriage would not prove a happy one. The day after our marriage, a grand dinner was given by Madame de Suremont. The entertainment was profusely elegant. There were two tables, one in the ante- chamber and the other in the dining-room. Every apartment was open, and very soon crowded ; the health of the bride was an apology for drinking wine as though it had been water. When the company quitted the table, all were desirous to salute and wish me joy. The remainder of the day was spent in dancing. The banns of marriage had been published at Fon- tette, which made the peasants of that place curious to learn the wedding-day. They came in great numbers to Bar-sur-Aube with an intention of seeing the cere- mony, and remained there some days. Among them came two men and a woman, who begged permission of Madame de Suremont to see M. and Madame de la Motte. On her interrogating them as to who they were, they replied that they came from Fontette, "and we arc people whom Madame de Valois, who is lately married, if she knew we were here, would receive well." Being informed of this circumstance, I went to receive them, and found they were two brothers and a sister of my mother's, by second marriage. I received them cordially ; they greatly deprecated the conduct of their sister, who, they said, had behaved unworthily. " But, Madame, you will, notwithstand- ing, grant us the honour of speaking to you ? How does Mademoiselle de St. Remy, your sister? We The Diamond Necklace. 117 have no other object in coming to see you than to be honoured with the name of relation, though we con- fess ourselves unworthy of that honour. We know that our sister made you suffer when in this country some years ago, but she was ashamed to come again to Fontette ; she knew she would meet the reproach she merited for cruelty to her children. Suffer us, Madame, notwithstanding, to salute you and wish you joy on the present occasion." They did so, and de- parted pleased with their reception. Soon after, another peasant, a very comely young man, came to Madame de Suremont, and inquired bluntly for Mademoiselle Filliette, a name by which my sister had formerly been known in the country. "I know no such person!" she replied. "What do you mean by Mademoiselle FiUiette ?" " Why, Madame," replied the clown, " the sister of Mademoiselle de St. Remy, who is just married. Please to tell her that I am Colas, of Fontette ; she will recollect me." Madame de Suremont communicated this to my sister, who, out of compassion for the unfortunate rustic, refused to see him, lest such an interview should make him more unhappy. Durand, to detain my sister in the country, had promised her in mar- riage to this peasant, whose appearance was greatly in his favour; but she had never consented to the project, nor given him any encouragement. The relation of the story of her birth by the people in the neighbourhood, as I have before mentioned, had kindled in the bosom of Marianne hopes of an alliance more consonant to her ideas, more consistent with her birth . Far from despising this poor creature, n8 The Diamond Necklace. she wished to avoid giving him pain. She begged me to speak to him. I did so. " Good day, my friend ! "What are your commands with my sister ? " " I wish, Madame," replied he, " to have the honour of paying my respects to her. She is of the same age as myself; we each have the same sponsors; and M. Durand, her godfather, has promised me that I shall marry her. But her fortune is changed she is now Mademoiselle de Valois ; and I am not quite such a fool as to think that she will have me for her husband, as she is descended from the blood-royal ; but I wish to have the pleasure of seeing her in her fine clothes; for I am sure (continued he, bursting into tears), she is very handsome !" I could not help shedding a tear of pity for this honest rustic, and admiring the genuine simplicity of his nature. His grief, however, was not to be alle- viated; the presence of my sister would but have increased his misery ; at least she thought so, and could not be prevailed upon to see him. Finding himself without hope, he went home again, murmuring at what he termed the false-heartedness of his mistress. Soon after, I accompanied my sister to Fontettc, where, it being Sunday, we went to mass. Upon our entrance all the peasants rose from their seats, and desired that the curate should do us honour, as the children of the Baron de St. Remy, their lord. We received the holy water at the communion-table, the consecrated bread, and afterwards the mass ; the bells were rung, and every one testified their joy at our arrival. They crowded about the house where we were ; we ordered them six livres a-piece, for which The Diamond Necklace. 119 they testified their gratitude by drinking our healths, and the health of the Baron St. Remy de Valois, and to his safe retiirn. They then conducted me to the mansion of my ancestors, and ronnd the grounds of the patrimonial estate. " This mansion, this noble estate," thought I t j myself, " might have been possessed by the descend- ants of those who acquired it by valour, and enjoyed it with hospitality." I lamented the ravages of luxury : I thought of the credulity and easy temper of my father, -who sacrificed everything to the extravagances of his wife. But for this, he might have maintained the dignity of his ancestors, and his miserable offspring might have uni- formly sustained that appearance to "which they were by birth entitled. Some time subsequent to my marriage, I miscarried of twins, both of which died. For six days my re- covery was doubtful ; but the strength of my consti- tution, however, at length prevailed, and as soon as I was able, I returned visits of thanks to all those families in town who had treated me with the greatest politeness and regard. M. de la Motte, whose leave of absence expired on the first of July, was obliged to set out for Lune- viUe. After this severe illness I enjoyed much better health than I had ever experienced before. I became more embonpoint, and my complexion resumed its usual colour ; my mind was much easier, and I entered into the diversions of the place with all the pleasure of a mind restored to tranquillity. About this time I was agreeably surprised by the I2O The Diamond Necklace. return of my husband, who had procured fresh leave of absence. Three months insensibly glided away, when again the day of his departure arrived. Nothing particular occurred during this interval, except my quitting the house of Madame de Suremont, and residing for some tune with Madame de la Motte. When my husband departed for Luneville, he left me, on his journey, at St. Nicolas, at the house of Madame Mailfort, wife of an old officer in the gend- armes, with whom M. de la Motte's father had formerly been intimate, to whom he had previously written, begging her to look out for some eligible apartment in a convent, for my reception. Madame Mailfort, who had lately lost her husband, had not yet been able to find a convent to her mind, though she had made two or three applications ; in consequence of which we set out, directed by chance, to a convent of the Benedictines, where I inquired if there would soon be a vacancy, and was informed there would be one in a fortnight. The vacancy accordingly took place, and I joined this society of Benedictine ladies, paying three hundred livres per annum. My residence in this convent was very agreeable ; I had many friends, but I had also some enemies. Envy and malice are, perhaps, in some convents, as prevalent as in the circles of the drawing-room. Scandal was busy with my reputation, and there were not wanting those who even doubted whether I was really the wife of M. de la Motte. A female friend informed me of these suspicions, and advised me to deposit the certificate of my marriage with the Bishop of Nancy, that it might be referred to without my The Diamond Necklace. 121 seeming to suppose that they doubted it, and that it might not be imagined my friend had betrayed their secrets. I availed myself of this advice, and instantly sent to Madame de la Motte, begging her to send me my marriage certificate per return of post. On re- ceiving it, I put it into the hands of the Superior, who advised me, lest her conduct should create any dis- turbance, to send it myself to the Bishop, who, on its receipt, wrote a letter to the Superior, informing her, that if any of the ladies had any doubt concerning Madame de la Motte, they were at liberty to peruse her marriage certificate, at that time in his possession. The moment the Superior communicated this intelli- gence, all disturbance ceased, and everything became quiet. These religieuses, heartily sorry for their ill- grounded suspicions, now acted a very different part. They endeavoured to make me amends by every at- tention, every civility in their power, and we became more intimate than if these disturbances had never happened. They strove by their good offices to obli- terate from my mind the recollection of their former conduct, which I most heartily forgave, and was cautious never to mention a single circumstance that might affect their sensibility by inducing them to suppose that I still remembered it. We passed our time in a most agreeable manner, and when the period of my departure arrived, they expressed the greatest regret. They gave the keys to the porter to open the doors ; but when I went out, none of them could be seen to bid me adieu. The sorrow I felt at leaving my friends in this convent was in some degree soothed by the hope of 122 The Diamond Necklace. seeing my hutiband, who wished me to be nearer him during the time he was in garrison at Luneville. I had scarcely arrived at this place, when I re- ceived many letters from the ntins in the convent, expressive of their regret for the loss of my company, and apologizing for their not bidding me farewell. These letters, with many others, were devoured in that dreadful dungeon, the Bastille. The attention and respect with which I was re- ceived at Luneville, whether it proceeded only from compliment and politeness, or was really the effusion of genuine friendship, was more than sufficient to have raised my vanity, had that been a predominant foible ; but fully persuaded of my own deficiency in point of personal charms, I could only attribute it to respect for my husband, to a knowledge of my birth and reception at Court, and to a lively manner, ani- mated with the greatest vivacity, for which I was remarked even to a proverb. The Marshal de Castries commanded the gen- darmes then quartered at Luneville. M. de la Motte hoped, from the circumstance of his marriage, to ob- tain some military promotion. The Marshal warmly befriended him, but the superintendence of the navy department not permitting him to continue with the corps, the Marquis d'Autichamp succeeded to the command. So delighted was I with the attention of my asso- ciates and the undisturbed tranquillity of such a life, that when I left my former convent, at the desire of M. de la Motte, I did it on this express condition, that I should pass in another the whole time required by his residence in the garrison; and soon after I The Diamond Necklace. 123 entered a convent about three leagues from Luueville. Bat I was not suffered long to enjoy that repose which such a situation would have afforded me. The necessary absence of the Marshal de Castries, who was sincerely our friend, was an unfortunate cir- cumstance. The Marquis d'Autichamp made greater and more plausible professions of service, but he had not one grain of the sincerity of the Marshal de Cas- tries. Acquainted with our story, he advised us to go to Paris ; told us that nothing could be done at Luneville, but that at Paris we should have the good offices of the Marshal de Castries, with the assistance of Madame de Boulainvilliers ; and that he would in- terest himself with his particular friends to procure some advantageous post for my husband. This advice appeared too rational to be neglected ; but when the time of our departure approached, it appeared that I alone was to solicit the assistance of our friends at Paris, and the Marquis himself was to accompany me. This plan appeared rather singular, and I made some objections to proceeding without my hus- band ; he answered, that having twice had leave of absence, he could not reasonably expect a third. M. de la Motte, however, applied, and was peremptorily re- fused, in consequence of which he quitted the corps. This instance alone might have sufficiently informed me what I had to expect from favour with the great ; still, I felt ambition urging me forward, and my hopes were considerably strengthened by the flattering re- ception I universally met with. I determined in future to suspect the pressing civilities, the extrava- gant compliments, and profuse proffers of service of 124 The Diamond Necklace. the other sex, instructed by the conduct of the Mar* quis d'Autichamp. I left Luneville, accompanied by the Count, my husband, and took the road to Strasburg, \vhere the Marquis and Marchioness de Boulainvilliers then were. We were disappointed on our arrival to find them gone to Saverne : and remaining that night at Strasburg, next day went on to Saverne, and waited upon the family of Boulainvilliers. The Marchioness, ever tender and affectionate, re- ceived us kindly. It was here that I first saw the Cardinal de Rohan, of whom I shall hereafter have much to say. Little did my kind mother think, at the moment she presented me, what would be tho calamitous consequences ; but it is not for human na- ture to penetrate the darkness of futurity, otherwise we should often find that the objects of our most ardent wishes, however gilded by the rays of present opinion, are eventually but misfortunes in disguise. Madame de Boulainvilliers, influenced by the most generous motives, introduced me to this prince : his reception was at once flattering to youthful ranity and maternal anxiety. In a few days the Marchioness returned to Paris, inviting me and the Count, my husband, to accept an apartment in her magnificent hotel in that city. M. de la Motte was obliged to go to Bar-sur-Aube to arrange some family concerns, and shortly after I accepted the kind and pressing invitation of my wor- thy mother, and arrived at the Hotel de Boulain- villiers at Paris. I am now about to enter upon a more interesting part of my history, and to rescue it from an imputation of The Diamond Necklace. 125 sameness, which, perhaps, may be thrown upon so minute a recital of transactions in the early period of my life ; but as it was essentially necessary to invali- date my assertion that I was born to be unfortunate, and to prove that my life has been one continued series of misfortunes, I trust the candid reader will see the propriety of this minute attention to parti- culars, and pity rather than condemn. Though apparently flattered and caressed, I never- theless was envied; in proportion as my aspiring notions advanced towards the summit of their object, my enemies were in secret plotting my destruction, and rejoicing maliciously in the anticipation of my fall. Soon after my arrival at the Hotel de Boulainvil- liers, I wrote to a friend with whom I was once par- ticularly intimate at the convent of St. Nicolas, intimating my intention to dine with her on the Monday following, and begging her to return me no answer unless she was so particularly engaged that it would be inconvenient for her to receive me on that day. I received no answer, and accordingly prepared to pay my visit, anticipating in idea the pleasure I should receive in meeting her, and in renewing that friendship which had formerly subsisted between us. On my arrival at the gate, my servant returned from the porter with the startling intelligence that the lady had been dead nearly a fortnight. Conceiving that he must have made some mistake, I instantly sent him back ; the porter returned with him and, to my astonishment, confirmed what my servant had told me. " I assure you, Madame," said the porter (observ- 9 126 The Diamond Necklace. ing my surprise), that she is dead, and died of the small-pox." I had received a letter from her but seventeen days before ; not long before I had seen her at the convent of St. Nicolas, in blooming health and high spirits, and scarcely believed it possible that there could be so sudden a change : a young girl, only nineteen years of age, and but a twelvemonth married ! Stupefied with astonishment, and incapable of ut- tering a word, I could not reconcile myself to part with my friend so suddenly. At length her husband sent one of his domestics, and a gentleman with whom I had been acquainted, to hand me out of my carriage and invite me to walk in. I debated for a moment in my own mind whether I should accept this invita- tion, lest my presence might add to the husband's distress. Nevertheless, not being able to persuade myself that she was actually dead, I alighted from the carriage to visit her husband. Never did I behold such a scene of severe affliction as presented itself upon my entrance. The distress and grief of her husband struck me beyond the power of description. The apartment was hung with black, and the mantel-piece decorated with some little articles of dress and jewels worn by the deceased. The cham- ber in which I was received contained a bed of state, on one side of which hung a picture of the deceased lady, holding a crucifix in her hand; on the other side was a figure of Death in the attitude of warning, while her countenance represented a smile of patient resignation ; before her stood the communion-cup, with every other accessory which could render tho scene awful and affecting. The Diamond Necklace. 127 In another chamber stood the bed whereon she died, without furniture, representing a tomb ; in this was placed all her wardrobe, and here the unfortu- nate husband devoted every morning and evening to pray and indulge his melancholy. The mourner, whose legs were scarcely able to sup- port him, had dwindled away to a mere shadow ; in short, everything denoted the extreme aspect of sorrow, beyond the power of language to express. A scene like this, to a person even of moderate sen- sibility, must have made a very strong impression. A dinner was ordered to be prepared ; but after such a sight, who could have an appetite ? I found my presence distressed the wretched husband, and unable to suppress my tears, I determined to depart. Such a picture of conjugal affection is so very rare that I think it my duty to record it. With a mind absorbed in what I had just seen, I returned to the Hotel de Boulainvilliers, where my melancholy was greatly heightened by finding my worthy mother confined to her bed. This amiable lady, interested in all my friends, had desired me to bring the deceased lady the next day to dine with me. I had once before presented her at the Abbey of Longchamps. The scene I had just left, added to the indisposition of the Marchioness, produced an effect upon me I found impossible to conceal. The Mar- chioness perceived it, and said " You seem very low-spirited, my dear child, not- withstanding you have had the pleasure of dining with your friend." I knew not what to answer, conscious that the Marchioness disliked to hear of any one's illness, and 128 The Diamond Necklace. was averse to conversation on death, especially by such a malady as the small-pox, of which she had always a great horror. "Well, my dear," said she, finding I made no answer, " shall we have the pleasure of seeing your friend to-morrow ?" "No, Madame," replied I, "she is engaged for a fortnight in the country, and sets out to-morrow." My dear mother was grieved that I should have been disappointed of my friend's company. On visiting the Marchioness a short time after this, I observed some eruptions on her face, attended with a violent fever, which I was fearful appeared like that destructive malady she had so long dreaded; and notwithstanding the efforts of the Marquis to make her appear convalescent, and his influence in biassing the opinions of the doctors, I had the inex- pressible anguish to observe that she was dangerously ill, and terrified at the idea that she would not recover. During the illness of this most amiable of women, nay, even while she was confined to her chamber, the Marquis de Boulainvilliers-. notwithstanding every repulse, never ceased to persecute me with his odious addresses. His conduct at this period rendered him doubly disgusting; my answers were more pointed and peremptory, which irritated him to such a degree that he could not bear me in his sight. The medical gentlemen, MM. Gard and De la Motte, to whom I gave an accouut of the Marchioness's health night and morning, satisfied that she could not re- cover, imparted their convictions to the Marquis, who replied TJie Diamond Necklace. 1 29 "How, gentlemen? "Tis impossible! You must certainly be mistaken !" Sucli was continually his reply. " She has had three or four hours' sleep." "We know not," they replied, "but Madame the Countess has reported otherwise." " How !" he answered, "what has she to do with it? He even wished to brow-beat Victoire, one of the women who constantly attended the Marchioness, to force her to coincide in his opinion ; but she neither watched with that tender anxiety, nor do I believe she was equally competent to make observations, as myself, who, during the time of my residence in the convent, had been in the habit of visiting the sick, paying attention to every symptom of their com- plaints, and doing all those little offices which I con- sidered to be my duty. For these reasons, Victoire was not so competent to judge ; and the opportunities I formerly had of making my observations enabled me to form an opinion on the state of the Marchioness's health. I therefore, without any fear of the Marquis, stated truly everything I had observed, and one day when he said to the physicians, " She has slept Avell ; she is really now very tranquil, and must not be disturbed !" I summoned up sufficient resolution to remonstrate (and I trust the interest I had in the preservation of a life so dear sufficiently warranted the remonstrance), " Sir, as we consult these gentle- men, who are the proper judges, we ought to follow their advice." The Marquis de Boulainvilliers shoAved by his conduct that he never loved this worthy lady, whom lie had probably married for her fortune. He was, 130 The Diamond Necklace. indeed, too great a libertine to taste the enjoyments of conjugal felicity, and he wished to have it supposed that he believed the Marchioness was not really dangerously ill, otherwise he would not have been able to apologise for his neglect in not seeing her ; and if he had really believed the report of the physicians, he must, to save appearances with the world, have attended more assiduously upon a wife whom, if any judgment can be formed from his character, his conduct, or public report, he was not very sorry to lose. At length, with some difficulty, I obtained a private conference with the physicians, and addressed them to this purport " Are you sure, gentlemen, that Madame do Boulainvilliers is convalescent ? The Marquis pos- sibly desires you to say so, because he does not wish to make her uneasy. I caution you lest she should die, which I fear will be the case in three or four days. Believe me, gentlemen ! Speak the truth, and do not give him his way ; for his design is to lay all the blame upon you if anything should happen. He will say that you were unacquainted with the nature of her disorder, and consequently incapable of administering the proper remedies. Consider, gentle- men, your reputation is absolutely at stake. Do not quit him this night before you have truly stated the situation of Madame de Boulainvilliers, and given orders that she may receive the sacrament to-morrow morning, before it be too late." The physicians quitted the room, perfectly satisfied with my remarks, and assuring me that my wish to have the sacrament administered should be complied with next day. The Diamond Necklace. 131 The certificates of health till then had boon -written precisely as the Marquis de Boulainvilliers had dic- tated. The public could scarcely suppose the Mar- chioness was indisposed, much less that she was so dangerously ill ; and from all these reports of her good health, and the hours she slept, would be ex- tremely surprised to hear next day that she was dead. These gentlemen were considered as two very able doctors, and the Marquis de Boulainvilliers would immediately have exclaimed that they had deceived him. It was not, however, in his power to deceive me ; for if any judgment may be formed of his designs, from his words or actions, I think I am not mistaken in anything I have before advanced. A few days before the death of his wife, the Mar- quis de Boulainvilliers called me into his chamber, and after some very foolish conversation, said " Well, well, my dear, if she should die ; she is so very particular, so capricious, so vapourish ! You have seen what I suffered in our journey to Strasburg. Besides, my dear, you will be more comfortable ; she is so very jealous ! If you did but know what I have borne with on your account, I am sure I should be dear to you. I dare say she has told you many stories about me, while at the same time she was tormenting me concerning you. Certainly she cannot live a long time, and we shall send for your husband here; I shall find means to procure him a post in some regi- ment, which will prevent him from troubling us often." He insinuated that this might be a connection of mutual convenience, if I would but comply with his desires ; and that, as I was now a wife, my reputa- 132 The Diamond Necklace. tion would be beyond the reach of slander. He even made an offer to share his fortune, and to disinherit his children, if they should murmur at this measure. Thus did he attempt to obviate any difficulty which might arise, and painted the advantages which would result from rny consenting to be his mistress, in colours best adapted, as he thought, to allure my vanity, and engage my interest to accept his odious proposals. The reader will readily suppose that I did not receive these offers so gratefully as the Marquis expected, from the depravity of his own heart, they deserved. I heard him with stifled indignation : my answers were very short. I could not flatter myself with the idea that a man of his age would listen to any remonstrances from me, concerning the duty he owed to himself and his worthy consort. I considered the disparity of our ages would make him look upon any advice I might offer of little or no consequence, especially when clashing with the licentious indul- gence of a passion to which he had long given him- self up. I contented myself with holding him in tho most ineffable contempt, although I well knew, from the influence which generally accompanies wealth, and from the low cunning and dissimulation for which he was peculiarly distinguished, that when he had it in his power, the inclination to do an injury, either to me or to my friends, would never be wanting. I submitted to his infamous proposals in silence, but I despised the creature who made them, whom I con- sidered not as a man, but a monster. After this conference, I avoided him as much as possible. When I returned, the Count de Bourbon, The Diamond Necklace. 133 fend the Viscount de Clairmont, his cousins, rallied me 011 my long conference with the Marquis, to which I made no other answer than a faint smile. That very evening MM. Gard and De la Motte, the Marchioness's physicians, arrived, and reported that she was in a critical state. It is impossible to express the rage of the Marquis at this intelligence. " It is Madame de la Motte," said he, petulantly, " who has biassed you ; and will you listen to her ? She is a mere child !" " No, sir," they replied, " it is our own serious conviction. From this moment we must apply blisters to your lady ; and to-morrow, at eleven or twelve, it is our wish that she may receive the sacrament." They then ordered Victoire, a girl who had received a very good education, to make preparation for that purpose, and to take care to proceed so as to disturb the Marchioness as little as possible. Madame do Boulainvilliers had no idea that she had the small- pox; she attributed her disorder to erysipelas, and had always so much dreaded the former malady, that it was judged prudent not to inform her of her true condition. About nine the next morning, the Marquis entered the apartment of his lady, and in a whining tone made inquiries concerning ms POOR WIFE, and to know Low she had passed the night. At the same time, observing me, he shot such a glance, that his eyes appeared, like " Basilisk's, ready to strike me dead." I was bold enough, notwithstanding, to speak to him, to tell him what I had suffered. "I have attended you," replied he, "two hours. You have indeed deceived me, but you shall repent it !" 134 The Diamond Necklace. Every necessary preparation for receiving the sacrament being now made, that sacred ordinance commenced, and the ceremony was extremely affect- ing. Her nearest relations assisted. It seemed like the hour of the Marchioness's death, and as if her dearest friends, as the grief of their countenances strongly indicated, would follow immediately after. The ceremony performed, the parties present retired to their apartments. That night I passed in tears, and from the affliction of mind and want of neces- sary nourishment, I found myself extremely feeble the next morning. Whenever I moved a little from the Marchioness's bed, and she could only hear my voice, " My daughter Valois," said she, " are you near me?" "Yes, my dear mother, I am." She was unable to perceive me, as the small-pox had closed up her eyes. I pressed both her hands, then very much marked by scars left by the disorder, and wept incessantly, as I but too plainly foresaw that I should soon lose the dearest object of my affection a mother who had ever felt for me such tenderness and affection. " You weep, my dear daughter," said she, hearing me sob. " No, my dear mother," I replied, not wishing to make her uneasy ; "I have only a cold in my head, but I feel myself much better." The Marchioness had not the least idea of dying : she could not even bear any person to speak of it. She was fond of company; and, caressed and re- spected, she was the delight of every eye, and the admiration of every heart who had the felicity of her acquaintance. Affable, polite, sensible, humane, The Diamond Necklace. 13$ and generous, she left behind her a name never to be forgotten while these qualifications shall be admired as ornaments of human nature. This was her cha- racter universally, which, I was going to say, was not the partial panegyric of friendship, for even her enemies allowed her this merit. Enemies, did I say ? I retract what I have written. She had no enemies, but those whose enmity, far from being disgraceful, is even meritorious the enemies of virtue. In a few days this paragon of female excellence breathed her last ; and notwithstanding the efforts of every one to prevent it, she expired in my arms. They all wished me to avoid this scene ; but they strove in vain to tear me from her. I could not, I dared not, think that she was dead. At length, with great difficulty, they forced me from the body. I was in a state of delirium. " Live, live, my dear mother," said I, addressing myself to the breathless corpse, "or I am lost for ever ! You are my soul, my support, my life!" Protectress of my infant weakness ! guide of my youth ! whose precepts I will ever follow, but whose example I despair to imitate, thou art at this moment an inhabitant of the mansions of bliss ! It is thine to wear the crown to which thy virtue entitled thee, while it is ours to mourn thy loss, which all who knew thee most deeply felt ; but mine, mine, are the genuine tears of gratitude and affection. On the death of my worthy mother, my existence was dark and comfortless ; the earth was to me a barren wilderness, the heavens dark, gloomy, and lowering ; every amusement was insipid and weari- some. I had now no friend whose affection and 136 The Diamond Necklace. prudence was so sufficient to advise, nor whose power so able to assist. The Marquis de Boulainvilliers indeed remained ; but what was the Marquis de Boulainvilliers to me ? He was not my friend ; on the contrary, he was the very reverse. He was, as I shall hereafter prove, my bitterest enemy ; but he pre- sumed upon his immense riches to set the opinion of the world at defiance. Buoyed np by wealth, and that degree of influence which wealth alone creates among those sordid beings who bow the knee to Mammon, he consulted not the dictates of reason or philanthropy, but gave way to his unbridled appetite, sometimes even throwing aside the mask of dissimu- lation, except when he wished to palm himself upon the public opinion for virtues which the malevolence of his soul, and the avarice of his disposition, would never permit him to practise. Four days after this event of inexpressible anguish, which had for a time disordered my reason, I found myself in bed, although I knew not by what means I came there ; and when the frightful idea of the loss I had sustained occurred to my memory, I fell into convulsions. The Baronesses de Fodoas and De Crussol, a little recovered from their sorrow for the death of their beloved parent, notwithstanding their grief was yet recent, visited and endeavoured to console me. They observed that the loss I had sustained was much more terrible to me than to them, though they had lost their own mother. My attachment was much more inviolable, more strong than the brittle tie of nature, and my affection was even strengthened by the sense of my "unprotected situation. She was the foundation and support of all my hopes; relentless The Diamond Necklace. 137 death had plucked it away, and I fell defenceless and forsaken. M. Gard, who attended my deceased mother, came often during my illness to visit me, and behaved with great attention and kindness ; but he had no medicine for the cure of my disorder; he could not "rase the written troubles of the brain"; he had no oblivious antidote to the reflections continually occurring to my imagination, of the worth of her I lamented; nor was it within the compass of his art to minister to a mind so diseased, so distracted as mine. The Baron de Crussol did me the honour to visit me, and as soon as I was sufficiently recovered to be re- moved without danger, sent his carriage for me to take an airing. The Viscountess de Fodoas also paid me the same attention. About a fortnight after my recovery, notwithstand- ing the Marquis's conduct, as he was the husband oi my much lamented parent, I thought it would be proper to pay him a visit of condolence. He presented a complete picture of dissimulation ajid hypocrisy. His mourning was all external, glaring to the eyes ol the world, while he rejoiced in his heart at being delivered from what he termed an incumbrance. Ho was now more at liberty to gratify his passions ; he might now marry another fortune ; and such was his avarice, if he could once touch the fortune, he was perfectly indifferent to the wife. The portrait I am now about to exhibit of this disconsolate husband is so very singular, that I almost fear my veracity will be questioned. From some pre- ceding reflections upon the character of this bad man, my credibility may perhaps be doubted. Let it not be said that my narrative is tinged with too much 138 - The Diamond Necklace. acrimony ; let the character of this man be read in the public estimation ; let it be read in the presence of individuals whom he has injured ; and then let an impartial judgment be formed, if the facts I state are at all improbable ; let my injuries be weighed, and then let it be judged if my remarks are too virulent. From motives of fear, and from respect to the other branches of the family, I went to pay a visit of con- dolence to the Marquis de Boulainvilliers. I found things greatly changed ; the apartments were hung with black ; he affected to be shocked, and assumed the most violent emotions of grief; but his counte- nance apparently struggled with his heart, which seemed to feel the opposite emotions of pleasure. He affected an air of sorrow. " I am very poorly, my dear girl ! " said he, in a faint and melancholy tone; "how are you? " I sat down at some distance from him, that I might observe him well till the return of Victoire, whom he had sent into his closet to open the door, which, when any one came to make visits of condolence, she was generally dispatched to shut. On these occasions he assumed a very serious air and mournful grimace ; but the moment the visitors departed, he extinguished all the lights, except one small piece in a wax candle- stick, which he kept burning so as to light the others quickly. Thus did his avarice struggle with his pride, whilst dissimulation was useful to both. I am now relating a scene of which I was actually an eye- witness. The Prince de Conti's equerry came, on behalf of the Prince, to pay compliments of condolence. The valet de vhanibre announced some gentleman, whose The Diamond Necklace. 139 name I have now forgotten, but who was Bent by the Prince de Conti. The name of the Prince's equerry put the Marquis in a bustle, who, forgetting that this gentleman was in the first saloon (and from that to where we then were was a grand suite of rooms), in a moment, he, this discomolate mourner, was running about from one room to another, lighting all the candles with the greatest expedition. Nothing could be more ludicrous : the equerry was standing without at the door, observing the Marquis in his progress of illumination, and wondering at what he saw, at the same time not daring to enter. Observing the situ- ation, I endeavoured to persuade him to walk in; but he chose to remain where he was. Ashamed to witness such economical hypocrisy, I spoke to the Marquis, but in vain ; he was so busy with his illuminations, that he paid no attention to me, but made signs not to be interrupted. It was impossible for me to refrain from laughing : the gen- tleman smiled, and begged me not to interrupt him. At length, the candles being lighted and the theatre prepared, the actor soon made his muscles and gestures conformable. The Marquis went towards the gentleman, to whom he affected to be scarce able to speak. Observing his situation, I paid my com- pliments to the gentleman, and made some apology for the silence of the Marquis. As soon as he had sat down for a few minutes, he clasped his hands together, and turning up his eyes, said, "Ah, sir, no man can tell the loss I have sustained ! A wife, whose merit but I shall not live; I shall not be able to support her loss !" The equerry and I endeavoured to stifle our indig- 140 The Diamond Necklace. nation at the conduct of which he knew not wo had both been witnesses. "See, sir," pointing to his big belly, "how I am fallen away!" This was a farce past endurance ; it was absolutely impossible to bear it any longer, and I arose to depart. "There is my child, sir!" continued he, in the same mournful tone, at which I could scarce refrain from laughing ; and I dare say the equerry would not fail to divert the Prince at the expense of the Marquis, who, in every visit of condolence, had so often played the hypocrite that he was an adept in the character. Soon after, Avhen my health was a little recovered, I received the visits of my friends, and returned them. The old Marquis was jealous of these visits : he suspected all those whom I termed friends were in fact lovers ; he was suspicious of every one. The character of M. de la Luzerne, Bishop of Langres, could not put him beyond the reach of the Marquis's suspicions : even he who respected all my family, and behaved to me like a father ; for it was constantly the business of that family to oblige the whole human race by every kindness in their power. In short, every one who obliged me, every one whom it was my interest as well as my duty to speak well of, all were considered as my lovers; at the same time he him- self was continually making his detested offers, which became by repetition more intolerable than ever. He never failed to suggest how much it was my interest that I should submit : he told me his wealth, his in- fluence, all would be at my disposal, and that every obstacle in the road to my wishes would insensibly vanish. The Diamond Necklace. 141 Finding this note unsuccessful, he touched an op- posite string he addressed himself to my fears ; he insintiated how much it was in his power to defeat all my wishes, how easily he could blemish my repu- tation with those who would otherwise serve me. " What will you have me say," he one day asked me, " to those persons whom I am going to visit, if they should happen to make any inquiries about you? To-morrow I expect to see the Mareschal de Luxem- bourg, who has promised you his services, as well as the Princess de Beaufrernen : what do you wish that I should say to them ?" Passion overcame me, and made me for a moment forget the respect I owed both to the name and memory of my worthy mother. " Ah, wicked man ! you are capable of everything, and can plot the de- struction of a child, whom your worthy departed spouse has brought up and educated with so much care ! It is your aim to ruin me in the estimation of those who wish to make me comfortable, and to poison their good intentions, by giving them a bad opinion of my conduct ; however, if I cannot be permitted personally to explain myself, I can write ; I can ex- plain your menaces, and I will make you known." This villanous hypocrite intercepted my letters, though they contained nothing worth discovery, and was eternally reproaching me, and telling me that I loved other men better than him. I was not a little pleased at the return of my hus- band, a circumstance which gave me much satisfac- tion. The Marquis received him well, but endea- voured to destroy his good opinion of me. He sent one day to speak to him on business, but the conver- 10 142 The Diamond Necklace. sation was chiefly about me. He laboured to insi* nuate that I was fond of intrigue. " Oh !" says he, " her cousin is particularly attentive to her. Be cau- tious! Madame is very fond of company: she is intimate with my sons-in-law. I would have you watch her narrowly: I have known her from her infancy." Count de la Motte had too much good sense to give any credit to the insinuations of the Marquis ; he heard, nevertheless, everything he had to say, and seemed to listen very attentively, but he did not believe a single iota. I went, some days after, to pay my respects to the Marchioness de Luxembourg. I was indulged that morning to stay as long as I pleased, and converse on my affairs. I was very graciously treated, though, from what my good friend the Marquis had told me, I was not without strong fears that the door would be shut upon me. I reflected that the Marquis was rich and powerful, and had often seen that some men are so depraved, that the moment they have the power to do an injury, they seldom leave it undone for want of inclination. I considered that I was poor and unprotected; and upon weighing my re- sponsibility with that of the Marquis, in the estima- tion of the great world I knew that the word of the Marquis would turn the scale against me. At my first interview with Madame de Luxeiu* bourg, she seemed rather reserved, which greatly intimidated me ; however, I took courage, and in- formed her of my husband's arrival ; to which she replied, " I am very glad to hear it, as that will pre- vent you from experiencing those temptations to The Diamond Necklace. 143 which many young -women without such protection are too frequently exposed." This declaration alarmed me, and I determined to say a word or two concerning the Marquis de Bou- lainvilliers, which was sufficient to open her eyes; but she was already prepossessed. " Oh no, my dear child ! " said she, " be veiy cautious that you make no mistake in your assertions ! The Marquis de Boulainvilliers speaks of you as an affectionate parent ; and if he reproves you, it is because he has your happiness at heart : he does not mean to injure you. The obligaticns you owe to him should direct your conduct, and you should give him your confi- dence. For my part, I am sensible of the manner in which he speaks of you ; and those persons who have spoken of you lately, spoke very favourably. So far from being your enemy, the Marquis is a father to you ! Be very cautious how you take things amiss ! " I did not know whether I ought to continue the conversation, but Madame de Luxembourg herself engaged me to do it, and to disclose everything as to my proper mother. With this encouragement I unbosomed myself, and told her everything. Although apparently affected by my story, she did not try to irritate me against him ; on the contrary, she endeavoured to impress me with ideas less un- favourable, and rested the strength of her arguments on the obligations I was under, which she placed in every point of view. However, notwithstanding what she said, I observed her attentively, and fancied I discovered that her thoughts were favourable towards me. I even fancied I could trace the blush of indig- nation on her cheek against a man who had appeared 144 The Diamond Nccklact. externally as a father, but whose real disposition was BO muck the reverse. She encouraged me to behave well to him, assuring me of her friendship, and that she would do all in her power to supply the loss of that worthy mother. It is necessary to point out the arts of this cunning hypocrite, whose plausibility might be too apt to deceive. Fearful that I should some time or other disclose his villany, and his criminal passion towards me, he affected in public a fatherly affection and regard, at the same time expressing his fear that I was dissipated, and had a turn for intrigue. But \vhy need I attempt to prove what must be sufficiently obvious to the understanding of every reader, that the Marquis de Boulainvilliers was a most consum- mate adept in hypocrisy ? The conversation I had with Madame de Luxem- bourg irritated me yet more strongly against the Marquis de Boulainvilliers. I had, indeed, resolved to see him no more; but the advice of Madame de Luxembourg determined me to return. He took care, however, to make the house as disagreeable to me as possible, by means at once ungenerous and unmanly : he frequently took occasion to make use of very in- delicate double-entendres, with the express design of giving* me offence : sometimes he engaged me to dinner, saying that his children, whom I preferred to him, would be present. "Tour confidantes," added he, " to whom I am sure you have repeated all I say to you ; those who give you advice on these occasions." His sneers entirely exhausted my patience, and I was not long able to endure them. I sometimes retorted upon him some of those reproaches which TJie Diamond Necklace. 145 Ins conduct to me so justly merited. He saw that Madame de Luxembourg and others had told me much. I represented to him that they had thoroughly mis- taken his conduct, and were not his dupes quite so much as, perhaps, he might be inclined to suppose. His answer was, that he should have sufficient influ- ence to gain more credit than I could. His children sometimes dined with him ; but though he was their father, the little attention they paid him was much more through fear than affection. The embarrassments under which he suffered his daughter, the Viscountess de Fodoas, to labour -will ever remain a monument of his avarice and inhu- manity. It is a circumstance well known, and uni- versally reprobated, throughout Paris, that he re- fused to give security for the payment of some small debts due at her death. So much did he expose his children, that house, furniture, and estates, every- thing was sold and turned into money. It is well known that the fortune of Monsieur de Boulainvilliers is indeed immense, and probably equalled by nothing but his avarice ; while his charity, his sensibility, are as poor as his virtue. Who but such a father could not only neglect but abuse his own children ? He it was who, delighting in mischief, estranged from my interest all those friends who wished me well during the life-time of my worthy mother, excepting some who were unalterably attached, and his children, who followed not his advice. Having been attached more strongly to their mother, they would have been always glad to see me, but dared not indulge this propensity for fear of their father. He knew too well the cunning arts of dissimulation; and I ai 146 The Diamond Necklace. sorry that the history of my life, and my connections, oblige me to adduce additional proofs of his male- volence. AD aunt of M. de la Motte's, who lived close by, desired me to come and see her every day ; and as I was there always well received, and SRAV a great deal of good company, I frequently accepted her friendly invitation. She was often so obliging as even to send her coach, notwithstanding the distance was so short, and either she herself or one of her sons came in the carriage to conduct me. The appearance of a young man in the carriage, according to custom, awakened the jealousy of the Marquis do Boulainvilliers. He made complaint to his children, that he saw me but little, and that I converted his house into an inn, merely to suit my own convenience. I communicated my complaints to my aunt. " I am astonished !" said she. " I am your aunt. Inform, M. de Boulainvilliers, if he says anything to you, that I wish to see you often, and if he reproaches you with the obligations you are under, and the bed you have at his house, come to me." Encouraged by this I became more resolute ; I told him more plainly and more openly what I thought, and spoke to him. of the kindness of my aunt. One day in particular, being invited to dine with my aunt, she as usual sent her carriage for me. Whilst we were at dinner, one of the servants came and whispered something very softly to my aunt ; she rose, and went along a large saloon, which was so situated that I could see, w r hile sitting in my place, every person who was under the window. I was not ft little surprised at observing M. Denis, the secre- The Diamond Necklace. 147 tary of M. de Boulainvilliers, but did not take the least notice of it to any of the company. My aunt upon her return appeared rather reserved, and al- though she said nothing, was rather disconcerted. After dinner, taking me apart, she informed me that M. Denis had waited upon her from the Marquis de BoulainviDiers, to request an interview that evening about seven, or half-past seven o'clock, at the same time charging her to keep this a profound secret from me, and if possible, find some pretext to send me home. Disquieted greatly, and not being able to conceive what he had to communicate, nor his particular charge that I should be sent home, we took our mea- sures together, and consulted on what should be done ; she at the same time, knowing the dissimulation of the Marquis, and thinking he had some scheme in view, determined to be particularly cautious in her answers. The time arrived : the Marquis approached, and I contrived to conceal myself in a little closet which opened into the small saloon where she received him. A screen, extending round to the entrance, con- cealed my retreat, and I kept the door of the closet half open, that I might hear more distinctly. I was all suspense, and eager to hear the result of this extraordinary visit, at which I in particular was not to be present. Madame Clausse received him with a degree of reserve, which probably prevented his more imme- diate communication ; or possibly thinking it improper to enter abruptly upon the business of his visit, he was sufficiently artful to bring in the main subject accidentally. His conversation first turned upon the 148 The Diamond Necklace. news ; at length lie ran through a deal of nonsense about the carnival, and the common chit-chat of the day. " Pray, Madame, have you been at the masque- rade ?" She answered in the affirmative. " Then I presume that Madame de la Motte accom- panied you ; my porter and M. Denis, my secretary, have both seen hei return from the assembly at eight o'clock in the morning, with a young man whom they describe as your youngest son." " Oh no, sir," replied she ; " my son has never been with her ; and besides, if he has, his being with her could never constitute a crime." "Very true, Madame; but a circumstance with which I believe you are not yet acqiiainted is. that the young gentleman has been at Versailles, where she has passed a fortnight on a visit, and that he hired p cabriole to go thither to see her, and he continued three days. In short, Madame, such gallantry must necessarily lead a young man into expenses." "Ah, sir," replied Madame Clausse, "you must un- doubtedly be mistaken." "I beg your pardon, Madame! I assure you that your son is very much in love with his cousin, and I Avould have you be particularly on your guard. I know a great deal more, much more than I choose to disclose. Examine if he has his watch ; for as I have heard, he lent it as earnest for the payment of tho hire of the cabriole. As for Madame de la Motte, I tell you as a friend, I will no longer have the charge of her. I am obliged to make a sale at my house, and have occasion for the furniture of the apartment which she occupies. Be careful, Madame, and take measures for the best. This affair may be attended The Diamond Necklace. 149 with bad consequences : your son is a very young man, and love will carry young men great lengths ! " What can the reader think of a man who could relate such a story without the least foundation in truth ? "What can the most candid, the most meek, allege in vindication of the conduct of this blas- phemer of reputation, who could attempt, in a mode so deliberately artful, to blast an innocent character with a relative by forging lies which originated only in his own depraved imagination, and calling forth the feelings of a mother to her son, who was thus repre- sented to be in danger of being ruined by her niece ? My blood was at this moment boiling in my veins, and I had scarce patience to contain myself, when he rose to depart. I now placed myself in his way, and exclaimed, " Stay, monster ! Return to Madame ! Explain yourself in everything you have said ! You wish to prevent my aunt from showing her goodness : you endeavour to frustrate all my hopes, to reduce me to the necessity of throwing myself into your arms, and then depending entirely upon you !" The expressions I used on this occasion, and the tone in which I uttered them, will sufficiently show the conception of my mind with regard to the con- duct of the Marquis. In such a matter as reputation, to be cold is, in my opinion, to be criminal. Struck with confusion, the wretch was incapable of speaking: his lips quivered, and he turned pale as death. I repeated w r hat he had said to Madame Clausse verbatim. His confusion at being detected, at being laid open before that lady, prevented his fal- tering tongue from executing its office : he was in- capable of uttering a syllable. At length, as J sti}l 150 The Diamond Necklace, urged him, addressing himself to Madame Clausse do Suremont, he said, " She is too impatient, Madame, to suffer me to enter into any explanation." "Villain that you are!" exclaimed I, provoked beyond all patience ; " all that you have repeated is false, merely lies of your own coinage, invented to traduce my character, and similar to those you have told elsewhere!" Madame Clausse was so struck with the manner in which I behaved to him, that she did not remain the whole time, fearing that, being so humbled, the wretch might conceive some enmity against her. He retired, overwhelmed with confusion : not the blush of shame attendant on remorse, but that of guilt absolutely de- tected. To me his conduct was uniformly inimical ; but neither his wealth, nor that title which he has so often disgraced, nor even a name greater than eithei', the name of my sainted mother, shall prevent me from exposing his machinations, however speciously they may be glossed, over by dissimulation or plausi- bility, and painting in their proper colours his real character, and the very secrets of his inmost soul ! Madame Clausse very well knew, as did many others who will peruse my life, that I had frequently denied her son admission ; his mother has given me credit for this. It was true that he came to Versailles, but I knew not that it was expressly to see me. I par- icularly interrogated him if he had his mother's per- mission : he answered positively that he had. I knew not that he had deceived me ; fearful, however, that this might be the case, I requested Monsieur de la Motte to send him away. This young gentleman was very The Diamond Necklace. 151 much given to gaming, and would sometimes even pledge his watch, which, when successful, he re- deemed. This is a piece of information I have sinco received. These circumstances did the fruitful brain of the Marquis (ever ready at the connection of such inci- dents) put together, and endeavour to wrest to his malignant purpose. This was the wonderful discovery he had made, and with these materials did he fabri- cate this tale, mentioning the circumstance of the watch, which he knew the young gentleman, who had lately been unsuccessful in gaming, had not about him, to impose upon maternal affection, and alarm her fears for her son. It is not impossible but the Marquis, who was equal to any meanness, might have contrived to reduce the young man to the necessity for parting with his watch by agents employed for the purpose, that he might have a better opportunity of succeeding in his designs. The daughters of the Muiquis de Boulainvilliers, who followed that pattern of female excellence, their mother, notwithstanding the injunctions of their father, treated me with particular kindness, and invited me to dine with them. This invitation was soon after the quarrel I had had with their father, of which they were as yet ignorant. I accepted their kind invita- tion, and as soon as I entered, I beheld my grand enemy, the Marquis. My eyes met his, and I was surprised at his composure : he appeared a little cast down, and fearful lest I should relate our quarrel, but more particularly lest I should expose his designs. He watched me the whole time of dinner, and when he thought himself unobserved, he gave me a look ex- 152 The Diamond Necklace. pressive of scorn and spite, which, however he might think unregarded, did not escape the notice of the Viscountess de Tonneres. After dinner, the ladies and I retired into a corner of the saloon, to commune more freely ; M. de Bou- lainvilliers perceiving us together, appeared very much agitated, and came up to us : he was even sus- picious of his own children. " What do they say to you?" demanded he: "take care what you say to them ; they are too cunning for you ; they wheedle you out of anything." During the whole course cf the day he seemed to be uneasy, ashamed, and almost terrified; in the evening he embraced me : " Good- night, my child ! good night!" The Baron de Crussol had interested himself on be- half of my husband, and procured him a post in the regiment of Artois, till he could be otherwise provided for. That gentleman, in compliance with the wishes of the Marchioness de Boulainvilliers, and in con- formity to the desire of his wife, with whom I had the honour of being upon a footing of intimacy, had exerted himself to procure this post, biit did not mean that his services should stop here. The Marquis de Boulainvilliers, disappointed of his aim in his first scandalous report, soon after fabricated another, and rumoured it abroad that the young gen- tleman, the son of Madame Clausse, had absolutely eloped with me. Were I to mention half the injuries I have received from this man, it would tire the patience of my readers. However, as I have been tolerably intimate with him, in the course of a life replete with misfortunes, so far us his conduct had The Diamond ffecklacA fen effect in producing them, so far I am bound to re- late. If these facts should reflect upon the character oi the Marquis, it is not my fault, but his : let him, if lie can, refute my accusation. Not only he, but all my enemies will have that justice here which I, by the laws of my own country, if I may call them laws, was denied. Happy am I that from this moment I can leave this ungracious person, at least for a time, and proceed to circumstances much more interesting, and which I hope will tend to the gratification of curiosity. It is necessary, for the better understanding of this narrative, to recapitulate some of those circumstances which, owing to the agitation of a mind almost over- whelmed with distress, may probably have been too much dislocated for critical perusal. Let the circumstances and situation of the authoress of this Life evei be present in the memory of the candid reader, the very recollection of whose miseries is suffi- cient to obliterate the powers of memory, and almost all the faculties of the mind. How, then, can strength of conception, judicious arrangement of 'circumstances, or elegance of expression, be expected from ore whose situation is so completely Avretched as to render her unfit to use any other language but that which is dic- tated by the energy of grief ? Nothing could have in- duced me to undertake a task like this to retrace a life which has already been too long, and which, if my ideas of it are as just as I could wish, is drawing fast to a close nothing could have roused me from this lethargy of grief but to rescue my memory (when this fluttering pulse shall cease to beat, and the hand that now guides my pen be mouldered into dust) from the detractions of malice. Abused, insulted, and dis- Diamond Nedzlace. graced, tlie wounds of bleeding honour are too deep hereto be closed. Do they call for vengeance ? No: there is a just, a righteous Judge, before whose tri- bunal I shall again meet my enemies, where neither the strong arm of oppression, nor the " gilded " hand of offence, will be sufficiently powerful to vanquish innocence. To that tribunal I cite my enemies for a rehearing of my cause ; in the meantime I consider it a duty I owe my friends to relate those circumstances which may tend to prove that I have been the victim of powerful oppression and intriguing policy, against which nothing but the consciousness of innocence could have sustained me. I have mentioned the manner in which the estate of my ancestors had been divided ; and from the easy and unsuspecting temper of my father, added to his necessitous situation, it having been obtained by its present possessors for a very inconsiderable sum com- pared with its intrinsic value, it was re-echoed from every quarter that these possessions might be regained through legal procoss. To examine into this, and to gain from the people in the place every neces- sary information, the Marchioness de Boulainvilliers had advised us to undertake the journey to Bar-sur- Aube. The restoration of the inheritance of my ancestors was what I was now aiming at, and I en- deavoured to gain all the friends I could to support me in my claim. When the Marchioness de Boulainvilliers was alive, she gave me the strongest encouragement to hope that, through her powerful influence and intercession, I should again be put in possession of the inheritance of my ancestors. With this view she had introduced The Diamond Necklace. 15$ me to all her friends, particularly those at Court, from whose position and intercession any probable benefit might be derived. The -worthy Marchioness, alas! was now dead, but the ideas she had taught me to entertain, and the hopes these ideas naturally pro- duced, were still alive and in full vigour. Activity and exertion were now more than ever necessary ; and I foresaw that any prospect of future fortune would principally depend upon a proper cul- tivation of the friendship my worthy mother had im- planted in the breasts of her friends, and a conjunction of fortunate circumstances, so necessary to the attain- ment of a desired object. I determined, therefore, to improve the acquaintance with those to whom the Marchioness had recommended me, and who, respect- ing the memory of that amiable lady, would be induced to render me service. Soon after the death of his worthy lady the Mar- quis fancied that I might be useful in his house, and had the audacity to offer me a direct proposal, in terms, as he expressed it, of mutual and reciprocal convenience ; insinuating that, as I was now married, my reputation would be safe from the aspersions of scandal, and that the name of a wife would be at once a sanction for intrigue and a shield for reputation. Disappointed by the forcible expression of that indig- nation which must ever accompany the total rejection of such guilty propositions, and without hope of being able to overcome a settled contempt which his behaviour could not fail to excite, he attempted revenge, and revenge of the blackest nature, craftily directed, and enveloped with a dissimulation against which it was almost impossible to guard. 156 The Diamond Necklace. I have before shown how he attempted to alienate the affections of my relatives, and elsewhere related the means by which he endeavoured to ruin my repu- tation with my friends, thereby wishing to render me as much as possible, like himself, the object of private scorn and public detestation; but those good angels whose office it is to defeat the dark designs of hypo- crisy (a vice which cannot always be discovered by human penetration), disappointed his malice. Among the chief of those in power, to whom the worthy Marchioness had introduced me, was the Cardinal de Rohan. That Prince gave me the most gracious reception, and encouraged me to confide to Lira my future projects, which he would direct by his advice, and assist by his influence. I have already noticed that my first introduction to this Prince was at Saverne, where, having been made acquainted with my story, much to the gratification of my worthy mother, he was pleased to pay me particular attention. He now encouraged me to relate to him in the most explicit manner my position, circum- stances, and expectations, promising he would interest himself warmly in my behalf. Elated with the idea of having acquired so powerful a friend, and pleased that my plans would have so able a director, I did not hesitate to disclose them. His Royal Highness the Duke d'Artois, having Been me at church, noticed me in a particular manner, with his wonted affability. The attention he had been pleased to pay me was soon wafted to the ears of his consort, whom also I had the good fortune to please, and she determined to take me under her protection. The delicate and disinterested manner in which The Diamond Necklace. 157 this princess exerted herself in my favour can never be erased from my memory. Convinced that she had lately been in a very singular predicament, and fear- ful that if she placed me immediately under her pa- tronage it might operate to my disadvantage, she, in the most private manner possible, placed me under the patronage of her royal sister, Madame. The Cardinal, from whom I concealed nothing, ad- vised me at this juncture not to press either the Countess d'Artois or her royal sister, Madame, to make any request, which might probably have been premature : it was sufficient that those ladies ex- pressed an inclination to serve me. He approved of my intentions, which Avere, that they, with Madame Elizabeth, who had formerly honoured me with her attention, would interest themselves privately, and strengthen my application to his Majesty. Tht Cardinal de Rohan having sanctioned it with his approbation, I immediately set about putting it in execution, and for this purpose waited on Madame Elizabeth, whc received me with the greatest com- placency. I presented my memorial, which she ac- cepted with hei usual affability; and condescended at parting to salute me. Emboldened by the success of my first application, I soon after went to the apartments of the Countess d'Artois, when her first woman, Madame Coulong, received me, and desired me to follow to her apart- ment, in which she left me without saying a word. In a few minutes she and the Countess d'Artois came out together, reading a paper, the contents of which seemed to affect them. Madame Coulong returned, and informed me that the Countess d'Artois and Ma- ll 158 The Diamond Necklace. dame Elizabeth -were that moment perusing my me- morial, and that the latter begged me to call at her honse, where she would be with me in a moment. In a quarter of an hour she arrived : I was ushered to her presence by Madame Patres, her first woman. After receiving me very courteously, and asking mo many polite and obliging questions on my situation, she informed me that she would do what I desired with the greatest pleasure. The petition which I delivered to the Princesses was in fact drawn up and addressed to his Majesty. I had only, as I before intimated, put it into the hands of those ladies, that, being acquainted with the nature of my request, they might enforce it as they should see occasion. The kindness with which the Princess received me, the interest she took in my affairs, and the expression of her good wishes to serve me, so affected my sensi- bility that I could not refrain from tears. I was ex- tremely surprised to hear her explain herself so well, and speak with facility on minute affairs, about which ladies of her rank are seldom supposed to be conver- sant. When I quitted her, I attempted to take one of her hands and press it to my lips ; but she, antici- pating my intention, gently withdrew it, and ex- claimed, embracing me with all the warmth of friend- ship, " Ah ! my dear Countess, you are very dear to us, as well as Monsieur." Tears of gratit\ide, which I could not restrain, trickled fast down my cheeks. She observed it, and expressed anxiety at parting with me. " Come often and see me ! Come every day," said she; "you will always find mo disengaged at eleven. TJie Diamond Necklace. Is it possible," added she, " that the Queen will not prefer you to the Polignacs ?" If I could have believed that my misfortunes would ever be ended, it would certainly have been at this period. The whole Court spoke of me ; I was the general subject of their conversation ; all pointed me out as patronized by Madame, who carried her atten- tion to me to such an extent that, fearing I might wait sometimes longer than she wished, she desired me often to write, and commissioned the Abbe Malet to take charge of my letters. This was a very sin- gular condescension, and a very great honour ; for it is not the custom, in France to write letters to the royal family, which only pass between those who are equal in point of rank : when the Princesses are ad- dressed, they are called petitions, by way of marking their distinguished eminence and superiority. I think it necessary to make this remark, not merely from ostentation, but to show in what a respectable light they held my family, and how much they were at- tached to my interest. As often as I wrote to her, she carried her com- placency and condescension so far as to write to M. d'Ormesson, then Intendant of the Finances, and to M. de Forge, of Bonnaire, three or four letters, stating very fully my case, and pressing them to consider and interest themselves in my favour. These were not mere billets, usually ordered to be ent by persons of rank upon ordinary applications ; but letters in detail, actually written by Madatne, under her own proper signature, purporting that she should be much pleased with them if they would pay proper attention to her request; that these solicita- 160 The Diamond Necklace. tions were in favour of a person who merited their support, and that her name was Mademoiselle de Valois. When I presented these letters to D'Ormesson, he said, " Well, Madame, I will reply to these letters of Madame very soon ; but Madame has now no great influence. You should rather solicit the influence of the Queen ; she can serve you much more effectually. Will you have the goodness to acquaint Madame that I shall be very glad to have an audience with her, to explain this business ? " I confess I felt myself much hurt at the interview with M. d'Ormesson, to hear him express himself with so little respect to my bene- factress ; and as I possessed a faculty from nature of speaking the truth (a language not often spoken in courts, nor often agreeable to the ears of ministers), he felt himself so much offended, that he determined, with M. de Forge de Bonnaire, not to give themselves any trouble about me. . M. de Forge de Bonnaire was Intendant of the demesnes of the King's Fisheries and Forests ; my father's estate was a part of these demesnes : it was on this account that I found it necessary to make application to him, to whom I was first recommended by his worthy uncle, M. de Beauman, who had given him that place during his life. This gentleman was of an opinion very different from his nephew: the former wished me to recover, and enjoy my father's possessions ; the latter asked me many impertinent questions : " Whether I had a certain right to make such a demand?" and "If I was really descended from the Valois ? " Astonished at the impropriety of such interrogatories, my descent being well known The Diamond Necklace. 161 to all Paris, and acknowledged by the King himself, " Good gracious ! " exclaimed I, in accents cf sur- prise, " Can you really be serious in these inquiries ? It is surely impossible that you can be so ignorant ; nevertheless, for your satisfaction, I will send to you this evening, when I return, my genealogical extract, which will convince you of my birth, and a letter shall accompany it, which will explain my sentiments on this occasion." " Madame," returned he, in a tone of trifling gallantry, " I ask your pardon ! I only put the ques- tion that I might indulge my eyes with gazing upon a fine woman. I admire your vivacity ; but with you, Madame, I have a double pleasure, as you are at once beautiful and witty." "You have doubts, M. do Forge," retorted I; " you shall feel that I am a Yalois ! " I spoke this hastily, without the least degree of premeditation; but M. de Forge thought otherwise, and took occasion, after having seen me frequently, to make a very fine and long declaration of love. He said many things against M. d'Ormcsson, and wished to sift me as much as possible concerning what had been said by Madame ; observing, at the same time, that it was not in M. d'Ormesson's power to serve me much, although he was certainly his superior. M. d'Ormesson had at first promised Madame Elizabeth that he would arrange everything in such a manner that the King would not fail to grant what she desired ; and so sure was he of success, that he advanced me five hundred livres upon the rents of the succeeding year. As soon as Madame was informed of this circumstance she sent for me, received ma 1 6s TJic Diamond Necklace. with a kiss of congratulation, complimented me on the occasion, and told me she had sanguine hopes that she should now succeed in her applications, and that this was an earnest of great success. This beneficent Princess was so overjoyed that she related the circumstance to every one she met that evening. All anxiously awaited my arrival, that they might have an opportunity of congratulating me on my good fortune, upon which they were pleased to say a great many handsome ; things and the generosity of Madame was not more the theme of conversation than, as they flatteringly insinuated, the accomplish- ments of her who had occasioned it : so natural is it for people to natter thoee who are just beginning to experience the sunshine of prosperity, and are dis- tinguished by the favours of the great. The com- mendations of these sycophants are as profuse in the time of favour, as is their malice and contempt of the very same person when labouring under the gripe of poverty occasioned by the frowns of neglect. The his- tory of human nature in every page nay, in almost every line so strongly evinces the truth of this re- mark, that it needs neither apology for its insertion nor proof for its support : it is one of those self-evident propositions which we are every day in the habit of seeing illustrated. That same evening, Madame sent me to the house of M. d'Orrnesson, to thank him for his kind exertions in my favour. Before I waited upon this minister at his own house, I thought proper to write to him, as if from Madame ; a permission which that lady had given me. The purport of my note was to enquire if he could be seen at ten o'clock that evening. Ho The Diamond Necklace. 163 begged the favour of me, by a billet, to have the good- ness to defer the appointment till seven o'clock the next evening. I accordingly attended at the hour appointed, and found there M. Roullier d'Orveuille, Intendanfc of Champagne, who was waiting to speak to M. d'Ormesson. I waited nearly half an hour ; but what was my surprise when I observed M. de Forge, who had just left the room of M. d'Ormesson. " Ah ! are you there, beautiful Countess ? " exclaimed he. " You seem to speak as if you were ignorant of my presence," replied I; and like a bird of ill-omen, began to forbode in my own mind that no good was brooding between those two ; and my foreboding was eventually true. Madame has sent me hither, thought I, to return my acknowledgments; but instead of acknowledgments, I fear we shall have quarrels. If M. d'Ormesson had succeeded according to his promise, as he had taught me deceitfully to hope ; if he had any good news for me, he would certainly have informed M. Forge, as those possessions of my ancestors which I wished to regain were all within the department of the latter. " You know nothing," replied I, addressing myself to M. de Forge, who had put his questions concerning my descent, " absolutely nothing ! You know, at least, that you are one of those who promise largely and perform sparingly ; and you know that you have told me falsehoods ! " He insisted upon an explana- tion, and what I meant by such an assertion. Convinced as I was that he was yet more culpable than M. d'Ormesson, I told him my thoughts, and in a tone which people in office are least acquainted with, and least pleased to hear. 164 The Diamond Necklace. " As I do not know what you mean to say," re- plied lie, "I will not wait for you: I will either attend you at your own house, or conduct you to mine." I then went to M. d'Ormesson, leaving M. de Forge with M. Roullier d'Orveuille. I understood from M. d'Ormesson, what, indeed, I had already foreseen, that he had not said a word to Madame concerning the restoration of my possessions, and discovered that nothing more was in his power than to give me a rcgrat de sel in a province about forty leagues from Paris. It is necessary to explain to those unacquainted with France, that the rcrjrat de sel is an officer common in every town, and that the person holding this office delivers out, from a warehouse, all the salt consumed in the place. The salary is proportioned to the size of the town; and from this office the gdbelle, or tax upon salt, is collected, which is farmed by the rcgrat de sel. Thus was the grand-daughter of a king treated by these mushrooms of the day, who, springing from the transitory smiles of royal favour, are destroyed by the breath that raised them, and sink into their primitive insignificance ; thus was an undoubted descendant of the Valois degraded by an offer to keep a warehouse and be a retailer of salt ! Vexed at such an insult, which alarmed my pride and affected my sensibility in a manner I had not art enough to conceal, an insult which was more intolerable than an absolute disappointment, I pre- pared to depart. M. d'Ormesson, knowing my intimacy with Madame, and observing the indignation with which I treated so degrading an offer, was not The Diamond Necklace. 165 without apprehensions that I might prejudice him afc Court. After my audience, I went to the house of M. de Forge. I confess that I have a natural -warmth of disposition, a certain vivacity and impetuosity of temper, which the proposition of M. d'Ormesson had by no means tended to diminish. I could not forget so preposterous an offer, nor could I help remon- strating with M. de Forge, notwithstanding the presence of M. de Roullier d'Orvcuille and some of the domestics. " It is you," said I, " who are the adviser of M. d'Ormesson ; he is not wicked enough to deny it, nor has he any reason to do so ; and had you not made some observation consonant to your own views, he would not have offered me such an insult." M. de Forge solemnly denied having any know- ledge at all of the matter ; he even appeared to blame the conduct of D'Ormesson. M. de Forge and M. Roullier d'Orveuille expressed their good wishes to serve me, gave me friendly advice for my future proceedings, and concluded by pressing me to declare whose conduct was most reprehensible. " I cannot exactly ascertain," replied I, " who is most to be censured ; but Madame feels much piqued at having been thus trifled with, and by no means understands such finesse." " But the Queen," replied they, "is the only person that triumphs ; it is she who rules everything ; al] favours are reserved for her disposal." M. d'Ormesson had, indeed, engaged me strongly to pay my court to the Queen, because he said he was obliged to render an account of every applica- tion for favours, that the Queen might see whether 1 66 The Diamond Necklace. they Avere requested either by her own friends or those of Madame de Polignac, otherwise they could not be obtained. Furnished with this intelligence, which then ap- peared to me so remarkably singular, I returned to Madame and related this conversation word for word. She listened to me with attentive concern, and advised me to be patient, assuring me that there would soon be a change, as D'Ormesson would not long be in power ; notwithstanding she persuaded me to go to him again at Paris, and demand, on her part, that he would acknowledge his former promise, and give me fifteen thousand livres. I accordingly set out, accom- panied by a friend, and waited upon M. d'Ormesson about seven o'clock in the evening. He seemed to express concern that he could do nothing for me. The sanction of Madame, and the presence of the friend who accompanied me, inspired me with courage to speak my thoughts. "Very well !" replied I, "Madame has charged me to tell you that your power to deceive her will cease at the expiration of three weeks, when I shall have sufficient satisfaction for your breach of faith !" Having uttered this threat, I departed. I had, indeed, predicted the truth; for about three weeks after my journey from Fontainbleau, M. d'Ormesson was dismissed from office, and super- seded by M. de Calonne. I had continued at Versailles, dancing attendance on M. d'Ormesson (amused with hopes, and de- ceived by promises never meant to be performed) at a very considerable expense, from the month of June to the month of September, by the desire of Madame, The Diamond Necklace. i6'/ that I might be upon the spot to solicit the minister. I lodged at the Hotel de Jouy, in the Rue de Recollet, having long before (which I believe I have not yet mentioned) left the Hotel de Boulainvilliers, in con- sequence of the behaviour of the Marquis, who, as I have mentioned in my memoirs, not choosing plainly to bid me depart, took cftre to make my residence as uncomfortable as possible by several mean retrench- ments, Avhich none but a man of his disposition could have been guilty of. My residence at Versailles, and my domestics, together with the appearance I was obliged to make, and the company with whom I associated, was neces- sarily very expensive ; at the same time I had a house at Paris, where my husband resided, in the Rue de Saint Giles. M. d'Orrnesson sent to me one day, and desired an interview, informing me he had many things to tell me, which, from his short continuance at Versailles, he had not had time to communicate. On my arrival at Paris, irf the coarse of conversation, he said, " Oh, Madame Countess, I am confused ! I dare not, indeed, appear before you; I am really ashamed. Can you pardon me ? Bat I fear I shall not find favour: I have so often promised, and not kept my word." These were, indeed, humiliating concessions for a man once so high, in office ; but the storm which had tumbled him from the giddy height of intoxicating power, had at least been favourable in strengthening his judgment. During his adminis- tration he had been a man of promises, and had put many to great expense in attendances for appoint- mentg, which all evaporated in disappointment. 1 68 The Diamond Necklace. From too great an irritability of the nervous sys- tem, I miscarried a second time, and was indeed dangerously ill ; but I had the consolation to find myself honoured by the particular attention of those whose interference seldom fails to create envy. The Queen herself condescended to send for Madame Patres, to inquire after my health. Madame fre- quently sent to my house. M. Champion, page of the back-stairs, a particular favourite of Monsieur and Madame, was often despatched to me with kind inquiries. Sometimes he accompanied the physicians whom Madame sent to give me their advice and assistance ; it was he who first gave me intimation how highly I was honoured, by the relation of a cir- cumstance which could not but be pleasing. He in- formed me that he was present when the Queen said to his Majesty, on his returning from hunting, that she found herself somewhat indisposed : the King inquired from, whence her indisposition proceeded. " It is," replied she, " at sight of a spectacle which I beheld from my window : a lady whose name is Valois, married to the Count de la Motte, had fallen into strong convulsions, and was carried along by two men ; it was some time before I could discover what was the matter, and I am given to understand they are both young people." Such an honour as her Majesty's notice; such a condescension, the very terms in which she spoke, intimating a degree of compassion, and even an inte- rest in my concerns : such compassion, such interest, could not be pleasing to those who had long monopo- lized her Majesty's favour, and they determined, if possible, to crush this growing attention in its in- The Diamond Necklace. 163 fancy, by adopting those means which they thought best calculated to effect their malicious purposes. To this end, and to prevent the visits and kindness of the Princesses, they insinuated that my disorder was of such a nature as to render it dangerous to approach me. The kindness of these ladies, probably penetrating the intentions of those who wished to set me aside that they might themselves enjoy my place in their esteem, would not suffer them to put an implicit con- fidence in their reports, not withstanding they were not altogether without fear. To ascertain, however, whether these reports were well founded, Madame questioned the physicians, at the same time informing them that many persons had endeavoured to prejudice her against me, by insinuating that my distemper was contagious. These gentlemen gave it as their opinion that the disorder under which I laboured, and the consequent convulsions, had been occasioned by a derangement of the nervous system; "and we can aver this, for the satisfaction of Madame," con- tinued they, "upon our honour." "You believe there is not the least danger in coming near her? This report, then, is nothing but the effect of jealousy." She then dismissed them, charging them to pay me particular attention, and to give her an account of the progress of my recovery. They obeyed her orders punctiliously, assisting me with the best advice and medical preparations ; and, when I found myself sufficiently convalescent, they advised me to go and pay my respects to Madame, and to be seen by all the Court. My first visit was accordingly made to that Princess, who received me 170 The Diamond Necklace. with the greatest complacency, and testified her joy at my recovery. At courts, where jealousy is ever -watchful, where envy is always prevalent, and malice continually active : where those who are particularized as favourites can- not escape the minute investigations of court flatterers, it is not strange that at Versailles I fell under their censure. There were many who observed the grow- ing kindness of Madame, and endeavoured by eveiy means to detach her from my interest ; they were jealous also of the friendship and esteem with which the Countess D'Artois condescended to honour me. Madame had the delicacy not to tell me of this, but she suggested to me her ideas through the medium of the Abbe Mallet, one of her chaplains, who prefaced his commission with compliments it would but ill be- come me to repeat, lest I should incur the imputation of vanity. She advised me to stop the suggestions of malice, and prevent any one from speaking disrespect- fully of my future conduct, by sending for my hus- band, and charged the Abbe to write himself that same day, desiring him to come as soon as he re- ceived the letter. " This will at least quiet those who are jealous ; this will tend to hush the suspicions. And desire her," added she, addressing herself to the Abbe, "to take no steps at Court without her husband." Soon after my recovery, my friends advised me to place myself in the Salle des Trophes, near the chapel, with my husband, to the intent that we might be obsei'ved by all the Court. We placed ourselves at the side of the chapel, where no person has any right to be seated; but as I was very well known, this The Diamond Necklace. 171 \vas conceded in my favour. Madame had the good- ness to point me out to the Queen, who did me the honour to notice me. Upon this attention being paid me by her Majesty, many eyes which were before directed towards this royal personage were now turned upon me, and a whisper was heard of " There, there she is ! There is the Countess de Valois, now perfectly recovered." And as every person is ready to follow the example of royalty, all seemed to ex- press their kindness, and paid their compliments on this occasion. It was more than once mentioned to me that the King and Queen, but more particularly the Queen, felt great concern on my account ; that her Majesty had expressed herself in a very earnest and parti- cular manner to Madame. From this intelligence, so favourable to my wishes, and the advice of my friends, I confess I took every opportunity to sit in the same place in the chapel, and in every other place where I might be more conspicuously observed by the royal family and the nobility; and it will not probably be thought unnatural that, havmg favours to ask at Court, I should be so anxious to gain the royal favour, and seize the golden moment for my establishment in life. Whenever I appeared in public, whenever my eyes met those of her Majesty, she honoured me with a smile a fatal smile, that allured me to my ruin ! When her Majesty condescended to salute me in this affable manner, as I was on the other side of tho church, I observed her with a look expressive of the greatest respect. Not daring to smile again, I attempted, by my deportment, to convey an idea how much I felt myself honoured, and how extremely 1 72 The Diamond Necklace. grateful I was for lier attentions. This favourable disposition of lier Majesty did not escape the notice of my friends, who advised me to improve it to the utmost. The Cardinal had persuaded me to see Madame d'Ossenn, the Queen's attire- woman, and sister to the Due de Guiche, who married Madame de Polignac, to entreat that she would have the goodness to take charge of the genealogical memoirs of our family, and present them to the Queen. I accordingly laid them before that lady, and begged her to use her influence in strengthening my request to her Majesty. She listened to me with great kindness, and replied, "You are certainly not well advised in having made your first application to Madame, whom the Queen is informed is your protectress, particularly as you know they are not upon good terms. I scarcely know how to direct you in such a predicament ; how- ever, I will see if I can find a favourable opportunity of speaking to the Queen, but I have great doubts whether she will take upon herself to oblige you, on account of your first application having been made to Madame. As to the memoirs which you wish to have presented to his Majesty, I would advise you to see my brother, the Duke de Guiche, captain of the Guards, successor to the Duke de Villeroy. I assure you, Madame, that I will recommend you to him this day. You may see him to-morrow about twelve, or between twelve and one. Write to him, however, at nine, by way of refreshing his memory." I took this lady's advice, and waited upon him next? day at the hour appointed. The Duke, who was yonuef ^iid light-minded, did not apparently pay gieat regaiS 77/6' Diamond Necklace. 1/3 to my request ; in fact, lie did not choose to trouble himself much with business, and as all are triflers about the court of Versailles, and more busy in pursuit of their pleasures than any serious concerns, the Duke began to amuse himself by paying me some compli- ments, and making love, instead of listening to my request. As my business was of a more serious nature than to attend to these trifling gallantries, to which my situation did indeed but too much expose me, I attempted to recall to his mind the subject of my errand, and still reiterated the word " business." " Well, then," replied he, "I will take charge of your memorial : I will deliver it myself to his Majesty. I will serve you with all my influence, and support your request with all my power." I considered this promise, in the language of the Court, rather too profuse to be sincere, particularly as the Duke had prefaced it with some trifling compli- ments, which made me suppose that my concerns would escape his memory. I determined next day to have my memorial presented to the King. As there was mass that day, it was agreed between us that the Duke should himself receive it at the chapel, and present it to his Majesty : he also politely promised to inform me by letter what his Majesty should observe. Matters being thus adjusted, I myself took care to be present at the mass, and chose a situation where I could see without being observed. I had the satis- faction to perceive the King reading a paper very attentively, and the Duke appeared to be in earnest conversation with him. .After dinner, I received a very circumstantial epistle from the Duke, to whom 12 1 74 The Diamond Necklace. the King tad put a great number of questions, very favourable to my interest. In this epistle the Duke advised me to throw my- self at his Majesty's feet the next day, to induce him to remember me, at the same time charging me not to say a syllable to his sister of the part he had taken in my affairs. It appeared very singular that the Duke should desire me not to inform his sister that he had presented my memorial to his Majesty, together with some other circumstances which were to me extremely enigmatical. In vain did I reflect, ineffectually did I then puzzle myself, to find the clue that might unravel this mysterious business. It was also singular that a brother, who appeared interested to serve me, should give me advice not to trust his sister with my memorial, to deliver to the Queen. " You are unfortunately pretty, Madame," said ho; " and the Queen you have too much power to please, and the Queen " I could not for my life divine the purport of these hints, couched in terms at that moment so unintelli- gible. My readers will, perhaps, be as much puzzled as I was, and will scarcely be able to guess this enigma. Had they known the character of the Polignacs, whose influence was then so prevalent at Court had they known their jealousy of all those who were not immediately recommended by them had they known the fury of their tempers, the irrita- bility of their dispositions neither my reader nor myself would have wondered at this caution. The Duke was, in fact, fearful of his wife, and afraid to be the means of acquiring any Court favours, the disposal of which those haughty ladies were BO eager to mo- The Diamond Necklace. 1?$ nopolize. This also explains the reason of the advice of Madame d'Ossenn, when the manner in which she received me, and the counsel she gave me, is recol- lected, though perhaps she was not then aware of what she said. I have, however, sometimes seen her as she was taking an airing with the Queen in her phaeton, to whom she has frequently pointed me out, and her Majesty, as usual, has condescended to regard me with a smile of inexpressible affability. M. de Forge, whom I met at Fontainbleau, begged permission of M. de la Motte to pay us a visit, thab he might give us his advice respecting the present minister. Imagining that he wished to promote our interest, we were always happy to see him, which was indeed very often. He drew up the plan of proceed- ing he wished us to adopt, in writing, which he desired the Count to copy, and transmit the original to M. de Calonne, that he might be apprised of the nature of our claim. " Send it," continued he, " to- morrow morning at half-past eleven, and when I mention your name, he will not fail to make some remarks upon the circumstance. It shall be my care to avail myself of this opportunity to explain every- thing, as soon as I get possession of your memorial." I indeed promised it should be prepared for him ; but having strong reasons for supposing his professions were not altogether sincere, neglected to send it. The following day he waited upon me, to ask tie reason why I had not sent the memorial to M. de Calonne, who was going to set off on the Wednesday following, consequently he could not have any oppor- tunity of seeing him but at Paris. " That is just as I wish," replied L " I have written to M. de Calonne, The Diamond Necklace. begging him to appoint some hour for an interview to-morroAv, and he has written a very polite note in answer, telling me that he was sorry he could not see me till Wednesday, at one, just previous to his departure. I must do M. dc Calonne the justice to say, that his behaviour at that period was perfectly satisfactory ; and I began to feel my hopes revive, and to think that my misfortunes were drawing to a conclusion. I was, however, deceived. These hopes were rekindled, but alas ! only to be lost in greater disappointments. Thus was I accustomed to reason fallaciously on the first dawn of good fortune, which I flattered myself would be progressive to the meridian of my wishes ; but I had cherished only an illusive gleam of fancy, which beamed in the bosom of inexperienced youth to allure it towards the precipice of ruin. The Wednesday following, on my arrival in Paris, I understood that M. de Forge had been that morning to pay me a visit. He wrote a few lines expressive of his wish that I should devote an hour or two to him the same day, as he had some very particular business to communicate. I accordingly saw him at the ap- pointed time, and related the good reception I had met with from M. de Calonne. " 'Tis very well," replied he; "I am quite delighted ; there is not the least doubt but we shall succeed. I will go to-morrow, about ten"; I have some business to do with him, and I will be sure to speak of you." " That's very well," replied I, " and have the good- ness to drop me a line, to inform me if he consents to my appointment this evening." After waiting a considerable time, in expectation of The Diamond Necklace. 177 an answer from M. de Forge, I began to suspect him of duplicity, and wrote a note, wherein I informed him that I should follow him immediately unless I could be satisfied as to the success of his applica- tion. He pretended that M. de Calonne was too much engaged, "which," added he, "is not very strange, as he is scarcely seated in his office;" de- claring that it was with the utmost difficulty they could find a moment to speak of me; "but he will be very glad to converse with you upon your concerns to-morrow, at half-past seven in the evening." There was nothing more natural, than that M. de Calonne, from what he had said to him concerning me, appeared very much disposed to oblige me. Previous to my visiting M. de Calonne, I saw his first secretary, named Henry. This gentleman, who was remarkably intelligent, and in whom I placed great confidence, wished both me and my husband all possible success. He used every exertion in his power with the three successive ministers in my behalf, and once said, with great joy in his counte- nance, " Oh ! Madame Countess, your misfortunes will soon be over ! Only have a little patience." I could not comprehend his meaning. He told mo that he had often spoke of me to M. de Calonne, who appeared desirous to oblige me. He encouraged me much, and advanced every argument that might induce me to hope, but without effect ; he could not dispel those fears, which, indeed, I could not help expressing. " If he should change, Madame," replied he, " I assure you I shall be very much surprised." He then conducted me to the house of M. de Calonne, to whom I was immediately introduced, 178 TJie Diamond Necklace. although there were many persons at that time waiting. This being an evening in which there was a par- ticular audience, I did not intend to occupy the time of the minister, engaged in such a multiplicity of business: he nevertheless desired me to be seated. His conversation surprised me to the last degree, and I began to perceive that there had been a great deal of finesse between him and M. de Forge, though I wanted courage to tell him my thoughts. " Con- fess," said he to me, " that you are only shamming poverty ! You are certainly not poor in reality ; for it is very visible that the appearance you make speaks quite a different language. You have a hotel at Paris, your cabriole, carriage, a travelling carriage, with servants in livery; and you travel with the Court. All this splendour, Madame Countess, is beyond your income. Is it possible we can believe that your pension of eight hundred livres can sup- port all this ? But come now, tell me, and tell me truly ; for the calculation of yoixr expense is at the rate of two thousand five hundred livres per annum. Confess that you have other resources than we are acquainted with ; for it surprises us greatly that you should pretend to be so poor." " I assure you, sir," replied I, "those who gave you this information are not acquainted with the sums I have been obliged to borrow, nor how much I am in debt. Perhaps you are ignorant that Madame has desired me to accept an arret de sursea-nce (a species of writ issued under the King's sign-manual, the party obtaining which is obliged to make a decla- ration of the extent of his debts, and is protected The Diamond Necklace. 179 from arrests or suits-at-laAv), and that my declara- tion amounted to sixty thousand livres." " Oh, oh !" exclaimed he, " that is quite a different thing." " Having earnestly entreated Madame," replied I, " to put an end to my affairs, several of my friends advised me to mention the debts I had incurred in consequence of my attendance. Those who were jealous of me insinuated to Madame that this was a piece of finesse on my part ; they also advised her to treat me in the same manner, and instead of giving me money, to grant a safe conduct for my husband, and the arret de surseance as a privilege for myself. By this precaution I was given to understand that I might wait with patience, as I should not be harassed by the demands of creditors." Surprised at this singular mode of address while I was making my ap- plications, well recommended, and soliciting favours, I knew not what to reply. I was tempted several times to rise, and make urgency of business an excuse for my departure. "You have many persons waiting for you, sir," said I. " Suffer me to visit you another day, when you will be more at leisure !" But I was still detained. Neglect was not suf- ficient. I was detained to be insulted. "An arret de surseance !" repeated M. de Calonne, in a sarcastic manner; "but that may, perhaps, be asked without reason ! It is really unfortunate for you, that Madame has people about her so very jealous of you, to give her such advice !" " I really do not understand your expressions," replied I ; " neither can I comprehend your me I So The Diamond Necklace. " Tell me, then," replied he, " who are really your friends ? If I desire to be informed, it is because I would anticipate them." " I ask, sir," returned I, " nothing but the estate of my ancestors in that centres all my demands ; and I wish to hear no more." The reader who is at all conversant with the history of mankind, will naturally deem it unneces- sary for me to point out the difficulties which are opposed to, and the trouble and vexation ever at- tendant on, an application for Court favours. I cannot help observing, however, that those in power, for- getting the attention with which it is their duty to hear and redress the grievances of the unfortunate, wanting even in the common politeness for which the French nation has ever been distinguished (and which was requisite in proportion as female timidity discouraged me from proceeding), will apparently listen to a distressing relation of complaints, and even pretend to pity them ; but, with a significant shake of the head, tho minister will coldly reply, " Really, Madame, I am extremely sorry ! I have so much business to-day ! Can you call again on such a day ?" When that day arrives, the very same scene is again acted; and there is no end to your application, but mortification on one side and deceit on the other. Instead of receiving any consolation, I was treated with mere cajolery and bagatelle. Deeply did I feel that sickness of the heart which arises from anxious suspense, ending in still greater disappointment. Soon after my interview with M. de Calonne, M. de Forge paid me a visit. I received him, and The Diamond Necklace. 1 8 1 as I have already intimated, not being possessed of the talent of concealing my thoughts, nor wearing a smile upon my countenance with a bosom labouring under discontent, I spoke to him very freely, and in plain terms accused him of duplicity. He defended himself to the best of his ability. " Cease, sir," continued I, " to persuade me any farther ! I assure you it is in vain ! I am convinced of your dissimulation, and request you instantly to drop so disagreeable a subject." M. de Forge, with the most barefaced effrontery, passed over everything I had said in a few gallant ex- pressions. " I do not wish," said he, " to be deprived of the good graces of the ladies ! I submit to every- thing! Fine women have a charter to say what they please !" After numerous attendances on M. de Calonne, as well at Versailles as at Paris, he at last told me that he " had laid my memorial before his Majesty, but that the Duke de Vrilliere had exchanged one estate to which I laid claim at Fontette, and this was what had hitherto created a difficulty ; but that the King, out of his royal munificence, had granted me an augmentation of seven hundred livres." I replied, in the hearing of a number of persons, that "the King had ordered no such thing ; that he gave more than this to his valets and footmen ; and that, if he were properly acquainted with the true state of my claim, I should find relief from a prince who was naturally just." I refused this pitiful addi- tion; "but I will oblige you," said I, in a spirited tone, " to speak of my demands ! I will stay in this house ! Make your complaints, sir, to the King, 1 82 The Diamond Necklace. and tell him that I will stay in this house till he thinks proper to give me another !" M. de Calonne was astonished at being addressed by a female in a strain so unusiial ; and he being called out at the moment to the Duchess de Polignac, I went into another drawing-room, where I remained three hours without seeing him. Observing his secretary, M. Henry, of whom I have before spoken, I thought it very probable, from several servants having before entered the room, that M. de Calonne had sent to see if I had put my threats in execution. M. Henry expressed surprise at seeing me, spoke to me very politely, desiring me to come up into his apartment, and stay with him ; but as I insisted on remaining where I was, he told me, from M. de Calonne, that I should certainly be satisfied. " I shall come to-morrow morning to your house," added he, " to bring you good news." I went away, not so much through faith in fair promises, but because I reflected that my stay there would answer no purpose. The next morning M. Henry called upon me, and brought me a bag of fifty louis, and some time after another containing the same sum; and at another time he brought me less. I was tired of receiving such pecuniary gratuities, and determined to reject this last, telling him that I did not ask for money ; it was my estate that I claimed. Soon after, Madame sent the Sieur Champion, desiring me to wait upon her at her own house, at seven o'clock in the evening. On my arrival she put into my hands a note from M. de Calonne, purporting that " having submitted to his Majesty the demand of The Diamond Necklace. 183 the Countess de Valois de la Motte, the King cannot at this time grant any more than the augmentation of seven hundred to her former pension of eight hundred livres, making together the sum of fifteen hundred livres per annum, the brevet of which I herewith send to Madame." Madame expressed the greatest anxiety that she had it not in her power to do any more, and appeared very much affected, as this was her last resource. At that time she advised me to exert myself to the utmost to see the Queen, and to bring her good news, which she should listen to with the greatest pleasure. It will appear from what I have already related of her Majesty's condescension, and the attention with which she honoured me, that she had conceived some partiality for my interest, and that her good wishes were not wanting to render me service. But the Queen was not her own mistress ; she was entirely governed by the Polignacs, who had acquired an absolute ascendancy at court. There was no access to the royal ear but through their influence; no favours were distributed but through their means, and to their creatures to those who were decisively of their party, and whose interest it was that they should preserve the authority they had acquired. The Countess de Polignac, grand adviser of this junto, had no pretensions, either from beauty or address, to such an influence as she possessed an influence which she held more from fear than any other motive. The Queen, whose disposition was warm and lofty, was filled with the most exalted ideas of iier family aiid descent; but as I have before 184 The Diamond Necklace. stated, she was not her own mistress, and conse- quently wished not to receive me publicly. From the hints I have already given, many doubts which may have arisen in the minds of my readers will be dis- pelled, and many more which might probably arise without such an explanation, be sufficiently obviated. Many persons of my acquaintance, perfectly con- versant with the intrigues of the Court, reproved me strongly for my attachment to Madame, my credulity in trusting to her promises, and for supposing her pro- tection could do anything at Court. Every one echoed in my ears, " It is the Queen to whom you should apply; it is the Queen who has the disposal of everything : you should have cultivated an acquaint- ance with the Polignacs." Those who advised me thus were, I well knew, my friends, better versed in the mystery of Court influence, in which they had been educated all their lives. I submitted my own ideas to their counsel and direction, and attempted to gain an admission to the Duchess de Polignac. I wrote to that lady, begging her to do me the honour of appointing an interview when it would be convenient. She returned for answer, that if Madame the Countess de Valois would wait upon her the next day, between eleven and twelve, she would be at leisure to receive her. I accordingly waited upon her the following day, at the hour appointed; when, instead of seeing her, I received a message that the Duchess was extremely sorry, but M. the Count d'Artois was then with her, and that she could not tell how long he might stay ; observing that it would probably be some time, aa he generally attended the Queen to her apartmentt The Diamond Necklace. 185 But Madame the Countess might come at the same hour to-morrow. I desired the valet-de-chamlre to acquaint the Duchess, that I -would then do myself the honour of waiting upon her. The next day, at the hour appointed, I again waited on the Duchess, who, after keeping me a long time in the ante-chamber, despatched the same valet- de-chambre, with a small scrap of paper in his hand, containing these words, " Madame the Duchess is extremely sorry that she has it not in her power to receive Madame the Countess, being too much en- gaged for others to oblige her in any claim which she may have to make to the King, or the Queen, who is already wearied with numberless applica- tions." Surprised at the rudeness of such a message, I addressed myself to the valet, " Is it possible that Madame de Polignac should have sent such an answer as this?" " It is not my fault, Madame," replied he, in con- ducting me out ; " it is Madame the Duchess, who made me write it, because I scrupled to deliver it viva voce." I will confess that my vanity was very much hurt at the treatment I received from this imperious woman. " Certainly," said I to myself, on returning home, " I am born to be a beggar, and, like a wan- derer on the earth, have no place to lay my head ! Unfortunate woman ! Unfortunate name ! to be the scorn of those whose birth was nothing to mine! Children but of yesterday, raised to affluence from indigent obscurity, was it for them to treat me with uch insolence? Were these the -women whom, 1 86 The Diamond Necklace. in my humble station of a ruantua-maker's appren- tice, I had so frequently waited upon from Madame de Boussol to obtain payment, and who then, instead of money, could pay me with courtesy and fair promises ? are these they who, before the smile of royal favour, no tradesman chose to trust, and even their mantua-maker refused to work for; who had not even a habit in which to be presented at Court ? " I do not reproach them for their misfortunes or their poverty ; but I reproach them for their haughty be- haviour. I am not ashamed to confess iny misfortunes. Though the descendant of a King, I have been a beggar, a servant, a mantua-maker's apprentice, and the favourite of a Queen ! I am now preparing to leave a theatre where I have acted such a variety of characters for some other state of existence ; since, with equal sensibility, with similar consciousness, I cannot be more miserable. Why should I be thus treated by the Duchess do Polignac ? Was it because she knew I was inti- mately acquainted with all the circumstances I have just recited, that she was afraid I should avail myself of them to wound her pride ? Was it that, knowing my birth and the noble spirit of the Queen, she was fearful lest her borrowed splendour should be eclipsed ? But I will not waste my time, or the patience oi the reader, by mentioning those anecdotes which could not fail to mortify the pride of those imperious women, whose haughty demeanour sufficiently cha- racterizes their grovelling extraction. Madame, who asked me if I ever Lad an oppor- tunity of seeing the Polignacs, told me, as well as The Diamond Necklace. 187 tlie Countess d'Artois, that upon reflection they thought, if I could but once be presented to the Queen by those women, .there was not the least doubt but I should succeed in my petition ; " for, my dear Countess," continued she, "I know not whether you are well acquainted with the circumstance, but I am not upon good terms with the Queen ; and possibly the reason that you have not succeeded is because I hare interested myself in your behalf, as M. de Calonne has himself informed me that the Queen had taken the disposal of all favours. I would, therefore, advise you to write to Madame de Polignac, and report to me how you are received." I accordingly wrote, and reported to Madame the reception I met with, at which she was highly enraged. It was very recently that the Queen and Madame had quarrelled ; which was not uncommon, as there were mutual piques between them. The present dif- ference, which appeared to have been looked upon by both parties in a more serious point of view than usual, arose from a scandalous report which had been circulated relative to Madame, and which had no other foundation than the mere appointment of one of her domestics to the superintendence of a garden in which she took a particular pleasure to walk. In the heat of their dispute, the Queen upbraided her royal sister with the above appointment. This drew from Madame an equally severe retort upon her Majesty. Their dispute rising to a very dis- agreeable height, the two ladies separated in tho most violent agitation, seemingly entertaining the greatest rancour towards each other. Malicious reports are present everywhere ; perhaps 1 8 8 TJie Diamond Necklace. at Court they are more particularly prevalent. All the eyes of the Queen's friends were upon Madame ; they were as sharp-sighted as lynxes to discover any blemish in her reputation, and were really afraid of her virtue ; for his Majesty had frequently said, in the hearing of the Queen, "But no one speaks slightingly of the conduct of Madame d'Artois!" This was sufficient to excite jealousy; this was enough to make her odious. She was pointed out as a pattern of virtue ; and it was necessary, if possible, to taint her reputation. When people are determined to be malicious, they have generally cunning sufficient to invent or make false comments upon actions in themselves absolutely innocent. Madame often went to a very pretty house at Montreuil, thrice a day frequently, both winter and summer : she walked in the garden, and gave orders herself that everything should be arranged to her taste. She took infinitely more pleasure in this innocent amusement than she did in a Court where, being out of favour with the Queen, she was not only disrespected but even frequently insulted. This innocent occupa- tion was, by the breath of calumny, converted into a crime: they insinuated that this Princess so fre- quently visited this house for the purpose of seeing a domestic whom, from the solicitations of those about her, she had been charitably induced to appoint to tho superintendence of this garlen, he having been gar- dener before he was her chairman. From such slender materials did these spiders art- fully weave a web to entangle the reputation of the Princess. But they were not content with this : the gardener was one day found dead, and it was pre- The Diamond Necklace. 189 tended that lie was poisoned bj Madame, to prevent a disclosure of her secrets. I am relating only what I have heard, but what is well known to have been circulated very extensively. For these circumstances, and the truth on which they are grounded, I must refer my reader to the Polignacs. Though they may here arrest the hand of justice, when they arrive at that tribunal where the secrets of every heart shall be revealed, where they themselves will be obliged to give in evidence, there they will appear in their proper colours, and be made answerable for their un- just aspersions. It would be a tedious task indeed to recapitulate the numerous and scandalous fabrications which were industriously propagated to the prejudice of these amiable ladies, whose exemplary conduct having ele- vated them to the very summit of public estimation, nnd who were no less respected for their private worth, were rendered at once objects of hatred and envy to those who despaired of emulating their virtues. I must confess I felt; myself extremely mortified at the reception I met with from the Polignacs, my only hope, and indeed the- only medium through which I could expect access to the Queen, being from their interest. Reduced to a degree of desperation, I re- signed all thoughts of succeeding in my wishes, and gave way to an impetuosity of temper which repeated disappointments had almost rendered fatal. From a warmth of disposition, I cannot remain neutral ; if it is a fault, it is a defect in my nature, for which I hope I am not accountable. Unwilling to acquaint the Cardinal with the ro* 13 190 The Diamond Necklace. pulse I Lad met with, I formed the dreadful project of putting an end to my existence, and instantly set out for my own house at Paris, hoping that I should not see my husband to impede my design. That me- lancholy hope, at least, was successful : he was absent from home. I opened my secretaire, and taking from thence two loaded pistols, I returned to Versailles. On my arrival there I sat down to write my life, to leave behind me, with several letters to my friends, expressive of the distracted state of my mind, and a caution to my enemies who had reduced me to that deed of desperation; but finding myself more dis- turbed as I advanced, I threw down my pen and began to expostulate. "And when I have written this miserable life," considered I, " which I am now on the point of quit- ting, what will it avail me after my death to inform the world that I have put a period to my own exist- ence ? They will only say, perhaps, that I preferred a present and sudden, to a more distant and lingering, exit." My brain was now raging, even to madness. Reason vas tumbled from her seat, and every calmer thought was whirled in the vortex of despair. Nothing re- mained unshaken but my dreadful purpose. Filled with that purpose, I went out at six o'clock in the morning. A large calash sufficiently concealed my face. I proceeded unobserved ; not even my own people were acquainted with my early departure. Nothing now was requisite but a proper place for the execution of my horrid design. I directed my way towards a wood, about a league from Versailles. Passing through the park, I at 77/6' Diamond Necklace length came to a very large and deep pit, wlach had formerly been a stone quarry. Upon the brink of this pit, whose deep recess I designed to be my sepulchre, I stood for a moment, and looked round attentively that no curious eye might mark my agitation, no human hand interrupt me in my course. Unobserved by every eye but His, which penetrates the deepest abyss, and reads the secret thoughts, I descended, and walked a few paces under ground. My brain was in the most violent agitation, and I seemed as it were sealed for destruction. I made the signs of the Cross, wishing before my departure to put up a short prayer to heaven. But here reflections on the crime I was about to commit arresting the prayer ere it could take its flight, I cried, " Wretch ! darest thou think of pre- senting a prayer to that Deity who has prohibited self-murder?" I shuddered at the very idea; I stiffened with horror at my own presumption; a thousand thoughts crowded upon my mind ; Reason and despair were in a continual struggle. " Yet, wretch," said I to myself, " listen not to the voice of pride ! Let reason for a moment calm thy fears ! Attend to the whispers of hope ! Has not the Car- dinal obliged you ? Is he not at this very moment your friend ? If the Court, if the public, should know this, will they not put false constructions upon his services, and traduce my character as they did that of Madame ? But alas ! what is in the power of the Cardinal ? That which has been already done, though great, is as it were but a transitory act of charity, and not a permanent independence !" Wearied with this perturbation of mind, fatigued f f/2 The Diamond Necklace. by the contest between reason and despair, and finding no avenue for the admission of hope, I took one of the pistols and placed ifc to my right ear. Something seemed yet to restrain my hand. " But what," thought I, "will become of my unfortunate husband ? When he shall hear of this, probably ho may take the same desperate remedy ! " This reflec- tion deprived me of all my resolution. I sat down, and remained for a considerable time in a state of stupor; but at length awaking, as from a dream, a flood of tears relieved my bursting heart, and being now capable of a little reflection, the horrid deed which I had well nigh perpetrated appeared before me in its proper colours. A ray of hope at that moment was revived in my breast, and that love of life which is inseparable from human nature prevented me from the commis- sion of this dreadful act, and induced me to reason by comparisons drawn from former troubles. I reflected that, bad as my situation then was, it had been infinitely worse. I remembered myself in my unprotected infancy, when I was begging my bread from door to door. True, I had not the same degree of sensibility ; but I conceived that I was not pre- served from all the dangers which threatened my infancy to become my own executioner. I considered that that Being whom I had so recently offended had mercy greater than the flagrancy of my crime, had bounty beyond even my utmost wishes. Towards Him I bent my knee ; to His ear I lifted up my voice in fervent prayer, to entreat at once His mercy and future protection. I at last resolved to return home ; but it being The Diamond Necklace. 193 now near one o'clock in the day, I was almost ashamed to enter, none of my domestics having ever seen me go out before, particularly alone. At length, however, I reached my apartment, and threw myself upon the sofa, in hopes of being able to compose myself; but such was the agitation of my spirit that I attempted it in vain. Before I proceed in the relation of my narrative, it will be necessary for me to explain the situation and circumstances of some of the most distinguished per- sonages at the Court of France, whom I am about to bring upon the tapis. Without such an acquaintance my narrative might appear obscure and perplexed ; with this every difficulty will vanish. The Cardinal dc Rohan, of a noble and powerful family, had been in favour with the Queen when she was Archduchess, previous to her marriage with the Dauphin; but her Majesty had now the greatest antipathy against him, which was fomented by the Cardinal's enemies, who were continually whispering falsehoods concerning his indiscretion in speaking of her Majesty. To make his peace with the Queen, he employed the Princess de Guimenee, his niece, whom he had obliged and generously assisted. But she treacherously and ungratefully promoted that pi^ue which the Cardinal thought, from the relation in which she stood to him, from the assistance she promised, and from the obligation she was tinder, she would not only endeavour to extinguish, but even exert herself to the utmost to restore her uncle to that degree of favour which he had unfortunately lost; but in this hope the Cardinal was deceived. Implicitly believing these reports, such a spark of 1 94 Tfo Diamond Necklace. resentment was kindled in her Majesty's bosom, that all his assiduity, all his exertions, could never extin- guish. The Queen would have sacrificed him without scruple; but there was a circumstance which pre- vented this, and obliged her to dissemble till some fair opportunity offered, or his enemies might draw him into some imprudence by which the King him- self would put it out of his power to do any further injury, and at the same time gratify her revenge. The circumstance which preserved the Cardinal from the resentment of the Queen was, that he was connected with her brother the Emperor, deeply im- mersed in state intrigues, and in the highest confidence at the Court of Vienna. This circumstance necessarily rendered the Queen and the Cardinal now in unison in point of interest, but divided upon former piques . Their private quarrels and animosities were for a time for- gotten : the aim of the Queen was to be absolute, the Cardinal's wish was to be prime minister. He was for this purpose advancing the interest of the Em- peror, who wished to cultivate the greatest influence in the French Court, for reasons best known to him- self, but which may easily be conjectured by those who are versed in political intrigues, and who are acquainted with the relative interests of the t\vo countries. The Queen, amidst the dissipation of the Court, had almost forgotten her former attachment to the Car- dinal, who thought she had overlooked him : this the Cardinal observed and lamented. He informed me one day that, as the Archduchess passed through Saverne, on her way to Versailles, he determined to repair thither and congratulate her on her arrival. The Diamond Necklace. 195 He hastened to receive her in the palace of the old Cardinal, where he threw himself at her feet, and ealuted the hem of her robe. She raised him. up kindly, blushed and held out her hand, which he kissed with ecstasy. : But this," continued he, " was the last kind look I ever experienced from the Queen amidst the intrigues of a Court, amidst the malicious insinuations of my enemies, my former services were all forgotten." Whether the Cardinal had really been guilty of writing these letters to the Empress, or whether he had absolutely made use of some indiscreet expres- sions respecting the conduct of her Majesty, is not here very material : it is sufficient to observe that she strongly suspected him of both. Her present neglect and indifference, contrasted with her former kind- ness, might possibly have induced him to make some remarks which he did not think would rise up iuv judgment against him, particularly with such exag. gerations; but he was deceived. From the most slen- der materials his enemies found means to fabricate reports to his prejudice ; and as they well knew that her Majesty had conceived an antipathy against him, they were ever assiduous to blow this spark into the flame of revenge, which they continually kept alivo by repetitions of the Cardinal's indiscretion and the disrespectful terms in which he had spoken of her Majesty who, as I have before mentioned, implicitly believed everything they told her that she was at length so exasperated that she determined to get rid of him at all hazards. But it was not to the Polignacs alone that the Car- dinal owed his disgrace : he had another enemy whoso 196 The Diamond Necklace. perfidy he complained of, because she was his relation, and he thought her his friend. The person I allude to was the Princess de Guirnenee, who, while he sup- posed her engaged in his favour, was actually his bitterest enemy, and instead of bringing him nearer to the object of his wishes, removed him infinitely further off". The Princess de Guimeneo had formerly been go- verness to the royal children, but she was now in disgrace : the Prince, her husband, who was involved in debt and had been guilty of fraud to his creditors, thought it necessary to abscond. This circumstance, with the disturbances consequent, is so well known at Paris that a detail of particulars would be unne- cessary. The Cardinal de Rohan wished to counteract this misfortune, and attempted to establish the reputation of his niece. He made several applications to the King for that purpose, who always referred him to her Majesty, with whom, as I have before stated, he was unfortunately in disgrace. While exerting himself for her re-establishment, this ungrateful woman was plotting his ruin : it was she, in conjunction with the Polignacs, that by fake insinuations influenced her Majesty, who listened with but too much attention and placed but too im- plicit confidence in their reports. The Princess de Guimenee had asserted that the Cardinal, when at Vienna, had cpokcn very indiscreetly, not to say dis- respectfully, of her Majesty when Archduchess ; that he had even written letters to the Empress complaining of her levities, and had laboured to prevent her mar- riage with the Dauphin. The Diamond Necklace. 197 The Cardinal, however, suffered patiently ; lie was not totally discouraged by the magnitude of those obstacles which appeared to bar his way to royal favour. Of a proud, haughty spirit, he relied upon his family : he trusted to the influence of the Em- peror, with whom he maintained a private corre- spondence, and yet thought, notwithstanding all that had hitherto passed, to surmount every difficulty in which his enemies industriously involved him, and rise again to the smiles of fortune and reconciliation with the Queen. To this end he constantly kept his eyes upon her Majesty, ever vigilant to seize an opportunity which he was sanguine enough to hope would soon offer. He even expected to detach her Majesty from the in- terest of the Polignacs, and his ambition and self-con- fidence led him. to imagine he could effect (I may say) this Herculean task ; but the connection between this family and the Queen was a Gordian knot, to cut which was beyond his power. Tho Poligiiacs were supposed to have in their pcs- ecssion some papers of consequence respecting her Majesty's affairs ; they were acquainted with circum- stances which would be attended with fatal conse- quences if they were discovered. It was the fear of this that preserved the influence of these imperious women, and rivctted them so strongly to the Queen that she found it impossible to shake them off. She had frequently complained of her situation, which obliged her to be particalu'rly circumspect, as theso persons were spies upon her conduct, and had tho penetration of a lynx's eye in prying into her mi- nutest actions. 198 The Diamond Necklace. The Cardinal had observed her Majesty's conde- scension in smiling upon me, notwithstanding I was under the patronage of Madame, who, as I havo before observed, was not kindly looked upon by her Majesty, and whose protection on that account was rather inimical than favoui-able to my interest. He thought he discovei*ed in her Majesty's smiles and appa- rent affability something that, by proper management, might be turned to his advantage ; he was determined, therefore, not to let slip a single opportunity. Ho knew me to be attached to his interests from motives of gratitude, and conceived that I might be instru- mental in restoring him to her Majesty's favour, by which means we might be mutually serviceable to each other in the furtherance of our respective wishes. He communicated to me the observations he had made, giving me the strongest hopes, and assuring me that I could not fail of success. I had so long listened to his counsels, and been repeatedly baffled by my unsuccessful applications, that I determined to give np the pursuit. The Cardinal remonstrated against my pusillanimity, and advised me to what he termed a coup-daedal not to wait the slow and un- certain proceedings of the Minister, nor the ineffectual influence of Madame, but to apply to the fountain- head, and throw myself immediately at her Majesty's feet. Such was the situation of affairs at the time I followed the Cardinal's advice, and I have put this as a passe-par-tout in the hands of my readers, to unlock those difficulties which would other wise tend to perplex this narrative. TJie Diamond Necklace. 199 The Cardinal de Rohan, as I have before men- tioned, was constantly my adviser that Prince's generosity and apparent concern for my welfare had attached me to him as a second father. Ambition, if ambition be a foible, was the failing of us both. Under similar circumstances it was not at all strange that we should unite our counsels : the Cardinal advised me as a parent, and I paid obedience to his advice as a daughter. The many repulses I had suffered, the Jiauteur of Madame de Polignac, who barred every avenue to the royal favour except to those who were her own creatures, the neglect of ministers, and all the inso- lence of office, had so damped the ardour of my pursuit, that I despaired of ever being able to obtain my end ; and I told the Cardinal that it was in vain to deceive myself with illusive hopes, that I found it impossible to succeed, and that I would hear no more on the subject of seeing the Queen. The Cardinal remonstrated strongly against my want of resolution, and reprobated my timidity some- what hai-shly. " What a fool you are," said he, " to be discouraged at the first obstacle!" and informed me, as I have before mentioned in my memoirs, that the present measure was a coup-d 1 'eclat, which he most earnestly conjured me to adopt, as it would be the only means of ensuring success ; and that this should be done as publicly as possible, the better to intimidate those who were our common enemies. He advised me to embrace the opportunity of the Procession of the Blue Ribbon, which was to take place on the 2nd of February. The favour with which her Majc.-ty had condc- 200 The Diamond Necklace. scended to regard me, the high opinion I entertained of the wisdom of my adviser, and every other avenne of access to the royal person being impracticable, I determined to follow his advice, and took this awful step. I call it awful : it was so to me the most im- portant moment of my life. The eventful day approached. Prepared with, the petition I was to present, and the most ample in- structions to sustain myself against every possible emergency, with a heart palpitating for the success of the event, I repaired, full-dressed, to the castle, where I waited in one of the saloons till the procession re- turned. At length the long-expected moment arrived, and as her Majesty was passing I fell at her feet, presented my petition, and told her in a few words that I was lineally descended from the Valois, and acknowledged as such by Louis XVI. ; that the possessions of my ancestors not having been transmitted with their name, his Majesty' s munifi- cence was my only resoruxie ; that the major part cf the estates they had enjoyed were now in the King's possession; and that, finding every other means of access closed, despair had induced me to this mode of application to her Majesty. The Queen observing the agitation of my spirit, from my trembling, and the faltering voice in which I spoke, condescended to raise me up kindly, received my petition, and desired me to make myself easy, for she would attentively consider my request. Fortunate as I then thought myself, my joy at this gracious reception was only equalled by the suspense which preceded it. Little did I think at that moment that the smiling aspect of royal favour would have The Diamond Necklace. 201 been converted to the frowns of destruction ; little was I aware that so splendid an avenue of distinction could lead to so dark a cavern of disgrace ! I returned to my own house, where I found a note from, the Cardinal, in consequence of which I went to his hotel, and communicated everything that had passed. His Eminence seemed highly pleased with my success, charged me to take advantage of the golden moment, and improve it till it terminated in success ; advised me to write a letter to Madame de Misery, First Lady of the Bedchamber and Waiting- woman to the Queen, desiring her to take the trouble of delivering another, enclosed for her Majesty. I accordingly wrote the letter, and the very same even- ing received an answer from that lady, desiring to see me at her apartment at half-past seven. I repaired thither at the hour appointed. Madame de Misery received me respectfully, informed me that she had laid my letter on the Queen's mantel-piece, and congratulated me on the honour I was going to have conferred on me, which she hinted must be kept a profound secret from all the ^vorld, not excepting Madame. I earnestly wish to have this injunction to secresy strongly impressed upon the minds of my readers during the perusal of this publication. It is a key to the History ; and when I point out the con- nection between that and the intermediate occur- rences, it will serve to elucidate this mysterious transaction ; and it shall be my chief study, by offer- ing such arguments as cannot fail to produce con- viction in the unprejudiced mind, to remove the veil of obscurity which has so long concealed the truth, c^d conseauentlv fixed on me the imputation of a 202 The Diamond Necklace. crime for which, through the influence of powerful guilt, I have been made a public sacrifice. I continued in conversation with Madame de Misery till about eleven o'clock, when her Majesty appeared. All amiable and condescending at that moment, she endeavoured to throw aside that pomp of majesty, to me so awful. Seeing me tremble, and under a palpi- tation which I could not suppress, she condescended kindly to encourage me, was pleased to request my confidence, and desired me to speak to her freely respecting everything that concerned my interest. After some time, when my fears were sufficiently dissipated by her Majesty's affability and condescen- sion, I summoned up resolution enough to state the nature of my claims ; my repeated attendances on the ministers, under the patronage of the Princesses, her sisters-in-law ; and complained with some asperity of the rude treatment I had received from the Polignacs, at which her Majesty smiled. The Queen, after a short pause, replied that she had perused my memorial with attention and con- cern ; that she perceived the purport was to urge the minister to a restitution of the possessions which for- inerly belonged to my ancestors ; but she had par- ticular reasons for not complying with my request ; yet, though she could not serve me publicly, she might privately and indirectly do me a service. She advised me to send for my brother, who, being now the head of our house, was the most proper person to solicit ; at the same time promising power- fully to back his pretensions. Her Majesty conclude;! by presenting me with a purse, honouring me with a salute, enjoining me to remain at Versailles, and io The Diamond Necklace. 203 li to no person whatever of this interview, or of tho fiuccess of my petition. Her Majesty said that "we should meet again." A few days after I received a note from Mademoiselle Dorvat, desiring me to repair, between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, to the Little Trianon. I was there at the hour appointed, and entertained a higher opinion of her Majesty's affability, was charmed with her condescension, and received fresh proofs of her generosity. She presented me at parting with a pocket-book, containing bills to the amount of 10,000 livres on the Caisse d'Escompte, and concluded with saying Ave should meet again. It would be needless to tire the reader with a repe- tition of the frequent interviews I had with her Ma- jesty. Suffice it to say that I received frequent proofs of her munificence, nor is it in my power to do justice to the numerous instances of her bounty which I experienced. But it was my fate to fall a victim : it is my duty to declare my innocence ; and if my narra- tive should criminate those who have disgraced me, it is the fault of those who have forced me to that vindication, which, if it does not stamp them with guilt, will at least subject them to suspicion. Never- theless, I wish not to avail myself of any circum- stances but those which I conceive essential to my defence. The Cardinal de Rohan, to whom I communicated everything, beheld his speculation with an eye of sa- tisfaction, and read by anticipation, in my connection with her Majesty, his future reconciliation and tho completion of his wishes. It was his ambition that had forced me into her Majesty's closet ; it was mine, 2O4 The Diamond Necklace. blended with gratitude to my benefactor, and respect for my adviser, which had induced me to follow his advice. He marked my growing favour Avith the Queen, which, when he conceived to be sufficiently matured, he prepared to reap the harvest of success, and peremptorily insisted as before that his fortune was in my hands. He conjured me to let no oppor- tunity slip of mentioning his name to the Queen, and if none offered, he begged if possible to contrive one. I was not at this moment aware of that inveterate antipathy which her Majesty entertained against the Cardinal, nor was I thoroughly acquainted with the motives which occasioned it. Gratitude therefore obliged me to undertake his request, and in one of my interviews with her Majesty, as favourable an opportunity as I could wish spontaneously offered itself. The Queen inquired how I had supported my- self before I was introduced to her ? This was the moment for naming my benefactor ; but it required some caution lest the Queen should discover that I was deeper in his confidence and counsels than it was proper for me to appear. I attempted, if possible, to avoid giving the least cause for suspicion, and expa- tiated largely, in general terms, on the Cardinal's beneficence, charity, and benevolence ; enumerated the services he had rendered to almost every one that applied to him ; that, from his generosity, he had ac- quired the esteem he merited, and spoke with a grate- ful warmth of the favours he had heaped upon me. Her Majesty regarded me with a curious and pene- trating eye : she paused for some minutes, and ap- peared buried in thought. This was the first moment of my mentioning the Cardinal's name, and I had an TJic Diamond Necklace. 265 opportunity of reading in her Majesty's face such a degree of aversion that gave me a very unfavourable omen of success I was then first acquainted with the strength of her antipathy. At length, awakening from her reverie, she expressed her surprise at the information I had given her, did not think the Car- dinal capable of such actions, and that report spoke a different language. I communicated to the Cardinal all that passed the remarks I had made upon her Majesty's conduct, which appeared to me very unfavourable to his hopes. Nevertheless, having once broken the ice and men- tioned his name to her Majesty, my future difficulties upon that subject would be considerably diminished. The Cardinal conjured me earnestly to lose no oppor- tunity of speaking of him, suggested various modes of bringing hiw on the tapis, gave me many instruc- tions, and sedulously applied himself to make me perfect. The instructions he gave me were all ineffectual, the Queen not mentioning any circumstance that had the most distant reference either to him or his affairs. It was a matter of delicacy to render him, if possible, an essential service, yet to avoid giving her Majesty any suspicion that I was in his interest : to introduce his name abruptly would have prevented the former, and fully confirmed the latter. The Cardinal, who had received 200,000 livres as a pot-de-vin for foraging the cavalry in Alsace, pre- sented me with 20,000 livres. I thought this a favourable opportunity to testify my gratitude to my benefactor, and speak of his generosity to the Queen. My zeal now carried me greater lengths in his favour; 14 Tlie Diamond Necklace. I spoke of him with a degree of warmth almost enthusiastic ; I even represented that he had imparted to me his troubles, and described him as struggling with discontent, overwhelmed with misery, the sport of envy, and the victim of detraction. My gratitude and the effusions of the moment hurried me away, and her Majesty suffered me to proceed uninterruptedly ; but her eyes informed me that my eulogium on the Cardinal was far from being pleasing. I feared I had been too copious in pane- gyric, for at some moments she even appeared angry : I perceived that her prejudices were too strong to be eradicated. Nevertheless, she soon assumed an ap- pearance of tranquillity, which, like a deceitful calm, ended in a storm, in which my peace, my fame, were dashed upon the rocks. The Cardinal, undaunted by repulse and unmoved by my remonstrances, still emphatically preached up perseverance. I even thought, from her Majesty's silence, that if I could not succeed so effectually as I could wish, I should at least weaken her prejudice. I succeeded so far, in my own opinion, that I advised the Cardinal to hazard a letter, which I imdertook to deliver the first favourable opportunity. I indeed induced him to write ; but I could by no means have imagined, under his circumstances, that he would have made use of indiscreet expressions, or would have been so precipitate in declaring his partiality, before he had justified himself to her Majesty, and erased from her memory the insinuations of his enemies. The Cardinal unhappily considered that he was essential to her Majesty's interest, and, to use his own The Diamond Necklace. 207 expression, that she could not do without him. Ill- fated Prince ! the blind impetuosity of thy disposition injured thee, and accelerated my destruction ! I am at this moment writing the incidents of my life, and I should have an indifferent claim to that candour I request, were I to conceal any circum- stances Avhich might elucidate the facts I relate. The Queen was determined to sacrifice the Cardinal; and observing his care and attention to me, she conceived I might be instrumental to his destruction ; while he, on the contrary, hoped through my means to be exalted to the highest pinnacle of his ambition. To give an idea of the Queen's animosity towards the Cardinal, I have only to relate the following fact, which will sufficiently enforce my assertion. The Queen having recently heard of some indiscre- tions of which the Cardinal had either been guilty, or his enemies had laid to his charge, urged me to engage him to attend an appointment with her between eleven and twelve at night; "because," said she, " I will persuade the King to be present." Seeing me startled at such a proposition, her Majesty continued, " Be composed, Countess ! Serve me, and I will serve you; but that I may be perfectly easy about the business, do you continue at home, that I may be sure you have not prevented my project this evening. I will often send to your house to be con- vinced that you are there ; fey if the Cardinal does not come, I shall suspect you as the cause." The Queen having engaged me to write to the Car- dinal what she had dictated, and she having written to him the same day, " our plan," continued she, "cannot fail to be successful. The King shall be 2o8 T/te Diamond Necklace. concealed in the cliamber, behind the window-curtains, that he may hear those expressions which the Car- dinal will make (and no one knew better than she what he would say on such occasions). He will be sure to fall on his knees, seize my hands, and kiss them. Some expressions of his happiness on such an occasion cannot fail to escape him, when I would ex- claim, and demand vengeance for such an insult : his indiscretion would not fail to exasperate the King, and all his family would be ruined in the public esti- mation." Such were the particulars of this shameful plot ; such were the black ideas of revenge conjured up in the mind of the Queen by the diabolical machinations of the Polignacs. What was the situation of the Car- dinal upon the brink of this precipice ? What must have been the consequence had he blindly entered into a snare so artfully prepared ? Possibly he might have been sacrificed on the spot ; or, with such strong presumptions of guilt, upon his knees before her Ma- jesty, expressing happiness at being again favourably received, the King himself a witness, he would have been put to the torture and beheaded, or hurried aAvay for the remainder of his life to the gloomy caverns of the Bastille. His friends, his family would have availed him nothing ; both would have lost their influence, and both participated in his disgrace. How delicate was the pi'edicament in which I now stood ! To what a dreadful dilemma was I now re- duced ! Either to lose the favour of the Queen, and thereby sacrifice every future hope by betraying her counsels, or be accessory to the ruin of a friend whom, by the laws of gratitude, I was bound to honour and The Diamond Necklace. 209 respect. Should I lay the snare for my friend, for the man who had directed me by his counsels and assisted me with his purse ? Forbid it, every generous feeling ! forbid it, gratitude ! forbid it, virtue ! My ideas were distracted. I could not think of abandoning the Cardinal ; I did not wish to lose the favour of the Queen. Suspended between these two extremes, reason, prudence, and my own interest, seemed to dictate a middle ccursc. I resolved to amuse the Queen, and at all events to acquaint the Cardinal. I quitted her Majesty, and returned home, where I had no sooner arrived than I ordered Rosalie, my first chambermaid, to tell any person who might in- quire for me that, being indisposed, I was gone to lie down, apprehensive lest the Queen should send as she had threatened. I ordered a horse to be harnessed to my cabriole, set out for Paris, and, unattended by a single domestic, drove to the Cardinal's, where I arrived about half- past ten. He was surprised to ceo me at the very moment when he thought to have found me at Ver- sailles with the Queen, or the next morning at my own house. I hastened to convey the momentous intelligence, which.' I communicated almost out of breath. I warned and entreated him to take every precaution not to expose me, when it was agreed that he should set off and wait upon the Queen, to whom he was to be particularly careful to observe the most profound respect, to throw himself on his knees at his entrance, and to say these words, taking care to speak very loud, that the King might understand him " I come, Madame, obedient to your orders : deign yet to 2 1 o The Diamond Necklace. extend your favours to a family which has been so unfortunate as to incur your royal displeasure (speak- ing of Guimenee) : condescend to recommend them to the King. They will ever retain the most grateful sense of your Majesty's goodness for their newly acquired favour." It is necessary to explain this circumstance. The Princess de Guimenee being in disgrace, the Cardinal had frequently solicited his Majesty in her behalf, who had as constantly referred livm to the Queen ; it was, therefore, by way of counteracting the machi- nations against him, that he meant to throw himself upon his knees, as if to solicit for this family, now so much out of favour. Our plan being hastily settled, I was anxious to return, lest in the interim the Queen should have sent, though probably she did not conceive I should have so far run the hazard of serving my friend at the expense of her displeasure. I was, nevertheless, not a little apprehensive, as she knew my attachment to the Cardinal; at the same time I resolved, if I should be unfortunately discovered, to speak the whole truth, and express to her in the most respect- ful terms the regret I should experience in being accessory to the destruction of a person who had ren- dered me so much service; assuring her Majesty that it was impossible to do such violence to my feelings as to be guilty of a species of ingratitude of so deep and malignant a dye ; begging, however, her Majesty to command my utmost exertions in all things that were not in themselves impossible. When I arrived I found all as I wished every, thing was safe. About midnight the Qnocn sent me The Diamond Necklace. 2 1 1 a billet to the following purport: "I cannot, my dear, put my project in execution this evening. I shall see you to-morrow at tho same hour he is arrived I have writteu to him to put off our inter- view till another day perhaps to-morrow but I will certainly see you." The Queen, convinced of t.er power and the facility with which she could sacrifice any of her enemies in France, had at first adoped this plan, supposing it would effectually destroy tiie Cardinal, assured as she was of her ability to make his cause wear the most unfavourable complexion. At eleven the next evening I again saw her Ma- jesty, and found her but little disposed to execute her project. The Cardinal, whose only hope was to regain the confidence of the Queen, had, with the most insinuating address, written a letter to her Majesty, wherein he refuted the malicious accusa- tions which had been brought against him by his enemies, and expressed the anxious desire he had to see her. He took particular care in his letter that he might not expose the Queen, and very prudently did not give her the most distant idea of the confidence I had reposed in him : by these means she never had the least ground for suspicion of my interference. Some days after the Cardinal and I were admitted : I remained some time in the closet, and the Cardinal was introduced into her chamber, where he continued tAvo hours. I had only a glimpse of him as he passed. As soon as he came out he told me everything had succeeded to a miracle ; " not without some re- proaches," continued he; "but sufficient to confirm all you have told me." 212 The Diamond Necklace. The day after, when I again saw her Majesty, she appeared considerably softened; and, if my conjec- tures are not erroneous, repented of her project on the day preceding. This circumstance, ful j demonstrative of my zeal in his cause, and the 1 izards I ran to render him service, certainly merited a, better return than false accusations, oppression, i rd disgrace. The Cardinal ought to have recollected some of those circum- stances "whereby I had prevented him from running headlong into the snares of his enemies ; he ought, I say, himself to have avowed the advice I had given him, to be cautious, and if possible to avoid the danger which threatened him. Frequently did I address him in terms emphatically remonstrative. " Why, Cardinal, will you blindly hazard your life, which will probably be the price of your ambition, and I shall be disgraced ? For me, were I in your situation, the whole world should not constrain me to expose myself to be the scorn, and probably the victim, of my enemies ! " " Fear not, my dear Countess ! " replied he. " My name, my family, will all defend me ; and the Queen will not have revenge in her power." So very in- considerately did the Cardinal speak, so fallaciously did he reason, so completely did he deceive both him- self and me. He even insinuated that the Queen could not do without him. His reliance upon his family and connections was one of the leading traits of his character. Upon this he built much ; but his private connections with the Emperor (which I be- lieve I have formerly hinted, and may perhaps here- after have greater occasion to mention) now buoyed The Diamond Necklace. 2 1 3 him up so strongly, that all liis actions seemed to take a tint from the reflection of his circum- stances. But these high-blown hopes, which for a moment bore him up, at length burst under him, and exposed him to punishment, slight in comparison, with mine, doomed as I was to bear the guilt of both, and at length to be the dupe of deception and the victim of disgrace. It is almost impossible for me to describe the situation into which I was now inadvertently drawn, between two over-hanging rocks, both of which con- stantly threatened, and both of which eventually falling, buried my reputation in their ruins. Upon my first introduction to her Majesty, I had a most emphatical injunction to sccresy, to conceal every- thing even from my nearest friends. A combination of peculiar circumstances had, as it were, drawn me into a situation where I could not remain with honour, and from whence I could n0fc retreat without danger. It is true I received presents of money and bills upon the Caisse d'Escompte ; but then I was reduced to the station of a servant, although of a superior rank the confidante of her Majesty, the confidante of the Cardinal, between whom the Emperor wished a reconciliation, and I was thought a proper medium for this. I knew thab all favour centred in the Queen : she only could be the means of restoring the possessions of my ancestors. I was attached by gratitude to the Cardinal; bat had I known truly the nature of their intrigue, neither my wish to re- gain possession of Fontette could have so strongly attached me to the Queen, nor motives of gratitude to the Cardinal, as to have induced me to sacrifice my 214 The Diamond Necklace. peace, my reputation, and my honour, for the accom- modation of either ; and I remained only in the situa- tion I then was, merely because I had not sufficient experience to extricate myself from the dangerous path which led to my destruction. I blush when I am about to declare the situation in which I stood be- tween the Cardinal and the Queen : nothing but a sacred regard to truth, which I have pledged mjself to declare, could have induced me to brand my own reputation by such a declaration of my errors ; but I have at least the consolation of having confessed them, and confession is the passport to remission. Could my sighs, my tears, my anxious days, my sleepless nights, have erased them from the record, they would long ere this have been buried in oblivion. Bleeding from the cross I have sustained, yet smarting from the wounds which oppression has inflicted, I have no advocate whose persuasive eloquence can plead my cause, whose breath can re- animate my fame. "Withered by the blight of malice, defenceless as I am, I submit my cause to ibst candour which I think it frequently necessary to bespeak to protect me from tiie frowns of censure and the scoffs of insult. To be entitled to that candour I confess my errors, as a previous and necessary step towards interesting the humane, who will probably consider these errors which I myself confess to be sufficiently atoned for by my misfortunes. The moment I began to perceive the nature of the service with which I was entrusted, I felt myself un- easy, my delicacy instantly took the alarm, and I re monstrated strongly against such odious employment. " It is true," said J, " that I am indeed the confidante Diamond Necklace. 2 1 J of a Qneen, and because she is a person of such ei- alted rank, they will not, perhaps, give me that odious appellation which other women on these occasions would so justly merit and so surely receive ; but not- withstanding it is the Queen's service in which I an engaged, it will not be in the power of her Majesty to prevent those secret whispers that would certainly in* jure my reputation." Similar remonstrances I often made to the Cardinal, begging him in the most earnest manner to press the Queen urgently to give him a public reception, and, if she refused, I advised him to cease from the pursuit. My remonstrances, alas ! were all ineffectual ; the Cardinal still persisted. He was too confident in him- self to pay much attention to my advice, affecting frequently to treat me like a child. Nevertheless, I succeeded so well as to prevail upon him to depart for Saverne. I had then that opinion, though probably he had other motives, strongly urging that he would be less obnoxious to the malice of his enemies, and that I should be much more comfortable. I commu- nicated to him my intention of placing half the sum I had received from her Majesty's bounty ont at inte- rest, having disposed of the other in purchasing an annuity for my life, and to retire to the estate oi my ancestors, where a moderate competence would be infinitely preferable to the anxieties attending my present situation. I expatiated largely to the Cardinal, not only on the trouble and fatigue, but even of the imminent danger attending my present occupa- tion ; how the Queen frequently commanded me as one of her meanest servants, and engaged me to act a part so odious, that if J was discovered J should b<} 216 The Diamond Necklace. irretrievably ruined. It would be in vain that I should plead I was acting in conformity to the orders of my Sovereign, whom I dared not disobey ; that s! e had pledged her honour she would protect me. ' ; In vain could I plead," continued I, " that you had said the same. Upon a discovery you would both defend yourselves, and leave me exposed to all the danger." " I have great reason for presuming that this will be the case, since both you and the Queen have thought proper to entnat me with the knowledge of your inti- macy ; but I must beg you to answer me this question supposing what I fear should be the consequence, how will either the Queen or you extricate me from the embarrassment ? You may, perhaps, fea? nothing. Supported by the influence of your family and the dignity of your situation, you perhaps may not have much reason to fear; but, single and unprotected, who shall deliver me ? " With such repeated and earnest expostulations did I endeavour to dissuade the Cardinal from rushing too precipitately to his fate ; but, independent of the danger, independent of the disgrace, the fatigue, the agitation of spirits attendant upon such an occupation, rendered it extremely irksome, and almost intolerable. Frequently have I been obliged to watch the greater part of the night, attending her Majesty's pleasure, who, often uncertain and inattentive to the punctuality of her appointment, has kept me waiting with all the anxiety of suspense. Many a heavy hour, many a sleepless night, has been devoted to her Majesty's service, to the Cardinal's accommodation ; and how have I been requited by both ? The one, to extricate The Diamond Necklace. 2 1 7 himself from the revenge of the other, has accused me of a crime which I tremble even to mention. Difficult indeed was it for me at all times to con- ceal my sensations while engaged in such a situation; in vain, did I struggle to hide those emotions which I could not suppress ; the tears involuntarily trickled down my checks. Thus frequently did I count by my sighs those painful periods, while I was waiting the favourable moment when her Majesty should be disengaged, to introduce the Cardinal, who, when the Queen approached, I introduced into the saloon, which, if I am not greatly mistaken, was called the Saloon of Venus. But perhaps a description of the place may at once be an apology for my want of recollection, and in some measure gratify the reader's curiosity. This charming structure is situated in a garden of the Little Trianon : it is a circular building, erected upon an easy eminence, and surrounded by a ditch, which the Cardinal and myself were in the habit of passing by means of a plank. The roof of this edifice is arched in form of a dome, in the midst of which is a statue either of Venus or Apollo (I cannot now perfectly remember which), upon a pedestal of white marble: the fimriture covered with most beautiful chintz. The room is splendidly decorated with carved wood, of a lilac colour : in the corners are beautiful statues emblematic of love, and tending to inspire that passion: over the chimney-piece of fine statuary marble, exquisitely sculptured and superbly orna- mented, are small figures conformable to the rest, and equally tending to inspire passion : the doors arc panelled with glass, from whence there is a descent 218 The Diamond Necklace. into the garden by four marble steps. There are win- dows all round the room, with curtains of fine muslin, richly embroidered with flowers. No person is per- mitted to enter this delightful spot except once a week, on Saturdays, and not then without an order signed by the Queen, in which permission the name of the person must be inserted ; but in general such a favour is rarely granted. The garden is laid out in the most exquisite taste ; but I will not attempt to enumerate all those beauties which tended to render this little spot an epitome of elegance. It was in this saloon, with whose beauties the sus- pense of my mind prevented me from being pleased, that I was generally stationed till the Queen's ap- proach ; and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the nights being severely cold, I was fre- quently obliged to retire into the garden. Will it appear the least singular to any one endowed with sensibility that I should be disgusted with this odious occupation, and deplore a condition which, however enviable it might be to others, to whose vanity perhaps it might have been highly gratifying to be confidante to a Queen, that such a situation should expose me to the most bitter reproaches, and the keenest pangs of insulted delicacy ? Upon her Majesty's appearance I went in quest of the Cardinal, whom I generally found waiting the moment of my arrival with impatience, the place of rendezvous being previously agreed on in the day- time, and varied occasionally, sometimes in the walk of the Trianon, at others in the avenue leading to the Little Trianon. It by no means unfrequently hap- pened that the Cardinal, impatient of her Majesty'i The Diamond Necklace. 2 19 , liad left liis station, and rambled to some distant y tirt of the garden, where, not being able immediately to find him, I have run almost breathlessly, wandering from walk to walk, and from one tree to another, which I have sometimes mistaken for men, imagining they were valets going home to their wives, and dressed in the same manner as the Cardinal, who, it must be observed, always disguised himself as a valet, and frequently carried a bundle in his hand, the better to favour the deception. This was contrived at once to avoid suspicion and prevent discovery. When, after a weary search, I at length found the Cardinal, I con- ducted him to the place of rendezvous, the saloon before described, where the Queen was waiting. I mention these circumstances merely to prove, that from the danger, suspense, uneasiness and fatigue of such a situation, the being confidante even to a Queen is by no means an enviable occupation. Fool that I was, to do those things which now give evidence against me, to accommodate those who have indeed overwhelmed the errors of which I was guilty in their service, in the magnitude of their oppression, in the plenitude of my misery ! There is one circumstance which, if I could forget, I would wish not to mention ; but it made such an impression on my memory as time has not yet been able to efface. I had been waiting for the Queen in that saloon from eleven o'clock nearly an hour with- out seeing her according to appointment, which was between eleven and twelve, and the Cardinal at mid- night. I went to her Majesty. There was some obstacle which had prevented her keeping her ap- pointment. "However," added she, "go and find The Diamond Necklace. the Cardinal, and in a very short time I will send io inform you whether I shall be able to receive yon." I accordingly, after going to tell him of this, to pre- vent his disappointment, went to the place appointed, to wait the arrival of a trusty messenger, whom I shall hereafter have occasion more particularly to mention. About three hours afterwards I received two notes, after which I was again sent to the Cardinal. We went to peruse the contents of our notes by the light of the lamps near the castle, in the walk leading from the Trianon. I here took occasion to explain to the Cardinal what I suffered. " Consider," said I, re- peatedly, " what a part the Queen has reduced me to act. I should be much better pleased to be less dis- tinguished by her Majesty's favour ; for then I should have much less cause for humiliation." The sense of my situation made me for a moment forget all the favours he had bestowed on me, and I could not help telling him that such proofs of her Majesty's regard were rather more painful than pleasing. Borne away at this moment by his own immediate interest, he lost sight of that delicacy which would have been more consistent with his wonted generosity. He replied that he considered me as exceedingly fortunate in having such an employment, for which, he said, I had been so handsomely paid. But surely at this moment he did not consider the odious light in which I beheld this occupation, for which he thought proper to say I had been at once so highly honoured and so amply rewarded. "When I informed the Cardinal that I was ashamed and heartily weary of the part I acted, which I would not much longer sustain, he replied, " That will be so The Diamond Necklace. 221 much the worse for you, if you take this course; because the Queen will easily find another confidante, for whom you will be exchanged. Besides, Madame, what reason have you to complain ? You have been well rewarded. Ah ! without the Queen what would become of you ? This is not the last thing she will do for you. If your brother was present, she would give you yet greater proofs of her beneficence." Such an insinuation, that I had no reason to mur- mur, having been so well rewarded, yet vibrates in my ear. I felt at that moment the keenness of the reproach, which roused me to a reply, " The presents of the Queen ! The favours of the Cardinal ! " His former generosity, his accustomed delicacy, vanished from my sight, and I saw nothing but a reproach of ingratitude, because my sensibility had induced me to remonstrate against an occupation, or mercenary employment, to me infinitely more in- tolerable than my infant wretchedness ; worse than my former menial occupation, even when I was re- duced to the abject situation of being servant to a ser- vant. Then, I reflected that I was not only poor, and that poverty was no cause of disgrace. Now indeed I was rich, and the confidante of a Queen; but neither my wealth nor the rank of the parties whom I served could reconcile me to a situation so infinitely beneath the most abject to which I had ever been reduced. "But this employment," replied I, "is not the favour I am soliciting at Court, where I am asking only what was absolutely the possession of my ancestors." I was induced to petition as a favour for what, indeed, I might demand as a right. There were, indeed, some persons whom I either 15 222 Diamond Necklace. knew, or had lieard of, who were eager to receive, and would in no small degree plume themselves upon receiving, marks of royal favour ; whose vanity would be highly gi-atified by any trifling proof of their Majesties' attention, which, publicly conferred, could not fail to give them a degree of consequence above others, who would distinguish them as ob- jects worthy of regard, and court their acquain- tance, as being necessary to their interest : but with me the case was very different. From the secresy expressly enjoined, from the very nature of the ser- vice in which I was engaged, it was impossible for me to enjoy any of these advantages : few people would pay much attention to me. That I was in favour with the Queen would appear a complete paradox. " If," they would say, " she is really in her Majesty's good graces, why has she not sufficient influence to obtain the restoration of her posses- sions?" If I could effect that, indeed, it might per- haps be supposed that I had friends at Court, and was the object of her Majesty's protection. I observed that the money I received was no compensation for the danger, fatigue, and oppro- brium of the services I was to perform. Often have 1 wept when I reflected upon the inextricable maze in which my destiny had involved me, whose per- plexities were rendered doubly distressing by the reproaches which I had so recently received from the Cardinal for the favours I had received from the Queen. My reflections upon these circumstances urged me to be earnest with the Cardinal, if he was really my friend, to solicit her Majesty for the restitution of 77/6' Diamond Necklace. 223 my property ; but I did not foresee what objections would be raised. The Queen was so circumstanced that she could not serve me publicly without in- curring suspicion ; indeed it will be recollected that she said this at our first interview. It will doubtless appear very singular to the reader, that the Cardinal and the Queen, so long at variance, and with such an inveterate animosity on the part of her Majesty, should be so suddenly, so strangely reconciled, and apparently so cordially united. I must confess that I was myself astonished at the miracle which I at that time fancied I had wrought ; but I was as erroneous in this conjecture as the fly in the fable, who, fixed upon, the wheel of the chariot, thought all the dust of his own raising. I will endeavour to explain, as clearly as possible, and point out to the reader the secret spring which moved every wheel of the machine. It Avas not love that effected this : it was the demon of politics ; it was the secret negociation at Vienna, the private corre- spondence between the Cardinal and the Emperor. I have elsewhere said I was the confidante of the Cardinal ; but there were circumstances which he concealed from me, circumstances which wore a very mysterious aspect. They indeed required cau- tion, and related to those private intrigues which prevail more or less in almost every Court in Europe. These negociations must necessarily have been kept very close, from the immediate danger which would have attended a discovery; it is not therefore strange that into these he did not wish me to scrutinize. The frequency of couriers arriving from Germany, 224 The Diamond Necklace. many of whom were German officers ; their long and mysterious conferences ; the hints which the Cardinal dropped in conversation ; the number of packets which my husband was charged to deliver at different parts of the city, particularly at the Porte St. Antoine, to couriers who appeared to be Germans ; the circum- stances mentioned in the correspondence given in my memoirs all tend to substantiate the supposition of a correspondence between the Emperor, the Cardinal, and the Queen. It is not my purpose to interweave political dis- quisitions in the narrative of my life. Perhaps I shall be censured for hinting that the Emperor was at that period distressed for a loan, which, through the instrumentality of the Queen and the Cardinal, he hoped he should be able to acquire. Perhaps the latter was unable to procure the sum demanded, which the Queen herself was obliged to procure. This might have been the reason for his yielding to my advice in departing for Saverne : possibly I might hint some circumstances respecting Lorraine; but I dilate not upon these subjects, probably too complicated for female discussion, and substitute some apology which may probably obviate those objections which might be made to the slight sketches I have already introduced. As far as I apprehend the circumstances material for my defence, by all the laws of self- preservation I have a right to avail myself of those, and by the laws of nature I am justified in using any weapons with which the guilt of my enemies has furnished me, and which I may consider necessary to protect me against the aspersions of their malice, and the The Diamond Nccklact. 225 weight of their oppression. If my suggestions are merely suppositions, the evanescent phantoms of imagination, they will of themselves die away ; but if they are solemn substantial allegations, reared upon the broad basis of truth, they will stand unshaken monuments in my favour when the Babel structure of my enemies shall be tumbled into ruins. The mysterious terms in which the correspondence was couched, the political magnet which attracted the parties, Avill at least substantiate their dissimulation ; will at least prove that ambition was the regulating principle, that the Emperor attracted the Cardinal and the Queen, who, upon principles of mutual in- terest, strongly adhered to each other, in order that they might by such union endeavour to advance them- Eclvcs respectively to the highest pinnacle of their ambition. I have before mentioned that I was asto- nished at the sudden cordiality between the Queen and Cardinal: [all surprise will, however, cease, when I suggest that the Queen was acquainted with, and included in, this clandestine correspondence which had so long subsisted between the Cardinal and the Emperor. At length, however, this political attraction dimi- nished : either the Cardinal's real or imaginary indis- cretions tended not only to weaken its influence, but to substitute a desire for revenge ; which in course of time overbalancing every other consideration, ex- posed him to all its fury : in a word, he was des- tined to become its devoted victim. The Queen gradually appeared to grow tired of hid importunities, seemed disgusted by his attentions, and was exasperated by his indiscretions. His in- 226 Tlic Diamond Necklace. fluence with, the Emperor was, as I have before mentioned, the only thread that yet suspended the sword over his head ; and her desire for revenge now became more ardent she was determined by any means to destroy him. The negotiation of the neck- lace afforded her an opportunity for reprehension, and the gratification of her revenge ; this circumstance was accordingly favourable to her purpose, and was intended as his coup-de-grace. Having given in my memoirs a minute detail of that transaction, it would by no means have been my wish to retrace the many particulars relative to that circumstance ; but as many of my readers may not have perused those memoirs, and as that occurrence appears to me so very interesting, so essentially ma- terial, I shall take the liberty of slightly glancing at the most prominent traits of that mysterious and fatal transaction, reserving my more particular re- marks to thro win occasionally during the time of my being confronted with the Cardinal, and examination upon interrogatories. The Queen had, it seems, long taken a fancy to this superb ornament, which remained a long time bur- densome to the jewellers, and which they anxiously wished to dispose of. They secretly applied to me to mention it to her Majesty, artfully insinuating that they were not unacquainted with my influence, and attempting by many flattering compliments to induce me to use that influence to serve them by persuading her Majesty to make the purchase. Fearful lest the Queen should suspect that I had Borne interest in disposing of this bauble, (a suspicion BO injurious to my delicacy,) I told the jewellers that The Diamond Necklace, 227 it vrould be tlie highest impropriety in me to inter- fere, and absolutely refused to have anything to do with the business. Upon my next interview with the Cardinal, he wore a very elegant ring, which he affected to display by putting his hand in every possible direction to attract my notice. Observing that I said nothing about it, he directly asked me what I thought of his new ring. I replied that it was indeed very brilliant, but I had lately seen something that was much more so. I then related the circumstance of the necklace, at wliich the Cardinal expressed great surprise, but said nothing more at that time relative to the subject. Some time after I received a note from the Car- dinal, requesting to know the jewellers' address, which I procured, and sent him. This conduct raised various conjectures in my mind concerning the reason of the Cardinal's sending so suddenly for this address, which, not being able to account for, I poised in my own mind several circum- stances, which led me to apprehend that the Cardinal meant to treat for the purchase of this jewel, with a view of appropriating it to satisfy the demands of some of the most clamorous of his creditors. About this period his affairs were not a little de- ranged ; his mode of living was, notwithstanding, profuse, and his finances were very far from keeping pace with his extravagance. He had indeed been censured by the King, who was characterized by his economy, and who, as the Cardinal himself seemed to insinuate, would be more reluctant to trust tho affairs of the state to a person who had betrayed such mismanagement in the regulation of his own. 228 The Diamond Necklace. The motives which biassed my conduct in this business seemed to centre in what I considered to be my duty. As a friend to the Cardinal, I could not think, entangled as he then was, of suffering him to plunge precipitately into still greater embarrassments, while the means of prevention remained in my power. I had also additional apprehensions lest, having seen the necklace, and sent to the jewellers for their address, my name should be brought into question : it was also a consideration with me that the jewellers should not part with their property upon such uncer- tain security. These motives conjointly influenced my proceedings, and determined me to repair to the jewellers to hint my suspicions, desiring them to remember that I should not think myself accountable for any agree- ment on the part of the Cardinal ; at the same time forewarning them to be particularly cautious, and not to part with the necklace till they were satisfied with the security. This to me was a disagreeable office, but it was a circumstance Avhich I hope will be remembered with very particular attention, because it is a leading ar- gument in my defence, and a bulwark against the attack of my enemies. Had I wished to possess my- self of this ornament, as it has been most strongly asserted, it will not wear the faintest hue of proba- bility that I should raise obstacles against the Car- dinal's purchasing it that I should obstruct the only channel through which I could hope to obtain it. It was several days after this transaction before I again saw the Cardinal, though I frequently saw the Queen during that interval. Her Majesty said not a The Diamond Necklace. 229 syllable to me respecting the necklace, but informed me that she had seen the Cardinal tAvo days before, and expressed her surprise that I brought no account of a commission with which she had entrusted him. I AVas not then aware of the nature of the commission of which she spoke, but when I again saw the Car- dinal I had no doubt that it related to the necklace. About two days after this interview with her Ma- jesty, I again saw the Cardinal, who then made me acquainted that he meant to purchase the necklace for the Queen, but that she would not have her name appear in the negociation. It must be observed that her Majesty had entered into a private, but express, contract with the King not to make any purchase, or sign her name to any agreement, without his concur- rence. The Cardinal had been with the jewellers imme- diately after he had received their address, and found them perfectly agreeable to his wishes. He set out for Versailles to apprise her Majesty that the neck- lace was in his power, and only waited her Majesty's commands. It was during this interval, between the Cardinal's first application to the jewellers and his departure for Versailles, that I had hinted my suspi- cions, and raised obstacles which he found so diffi- cult to overcome ; but these proceedings will, I hope, be excused on account of the rectitude of my inten- tions in this matter. Upon his return from Versailles, the Cardinal, finding the jewellers strangely altered, and seeming to raise difficulties, was at length induced to declare that he purchased for the Queen, who did not wish to appear in the transaction, and drew up articles for 230 The Diamond Necklace. the contract, to which he meant to have her Majesty's approbation, upon the production of which the jewel- lers declared they would trust to his private security. The Cardinal informed me that there would be private arrangements between himself and her Ma- jesty, so that the Queen might possess this jewel she so earnestly desired, and her Majesty's name not be brought in question. "When I received the information that it was for her Majesty this jewel was designed, that it was for the Queen the Cardinal meant to purchase, I thought it no bad speculation, and began to repent that my fears had made me too precipitate in raising those impediments, which originated in the union of friend- ship, prudence, and justice. It was, however, now too late to retreat ; the Cardinal drew from his pocket a packet, which he desired me to convey with all possible expedition to the Queen. I lost no time, but posted in my phaeton to Ver- sailles, where I arrived about nine o'clock, but could not that night obtain an interview with her Majesty. I have not, I believe, previously mentioned that, finding myself subservient to both parties only so far as served their own purposes, reproached by the Car- dinal, the secresy of the transaction, and the danger in which I was involved, conspired, much more than curiosity, to induce me to take copies of some of the most material letters which passed between the Cai'- dinal and the Queen. Was it an error? It has happened, fortunately, to enable me to speak pre- cisely upon the most material facts of my defence. Was it a crime ? When I reflect on my misfortunes, it has been, I hope, fully expiated. The Diainond Necklace. 231 Before I went to bed I took a copy of the Car- dinal's letter, and perused the whole of the conditions, of the purchase from the jewellers, with which I was despatched for her Majesty's approbation, written in the Cardinal's own hand. Disappointed in not seeing her Majesty, and receiving intelligence from Mademoiselle Dorvat that it was uncertain when I could have the honour of seeing her, and knowing the Cardinal's impatience for my re- turn with the ratification of these articles, I sent the packet to Mademoiselle Dorvat, begging her to for- ward it with all possible expedition, as I only waited for the answer to return immediately to Paris. Two hours after I received a parcel, eealed up, with a short note from her Majesty, desiring me to use dispatch. This parcel contained the articles I brought, not only unapproved and unsigned, but ac- companied by a note to the Cardinal containing tho most stinging reproaches". When the Cardinal opened the packet, and found it exactly as he sent it, he turned pale; when he perused the letter, he was almost frantic. He com- municated to me its contents, appealing to me to arbitrate between him and the Queen, if he had not strictly adhered to the spirit of the articles. He then, after regretting that he had kept it a secret from me, informed me that a few days ago the Queen had mentioned the necklace, which was, she said, destined for Portugal, and appeared desirous to have it. " I then told her," continued he, " what I thought as to the practicability of so disguising the neck- lace, by altering the fashion of some of the most 232 The Diamond Necklace. remarkable stones, that it might not be easily dis- covered by his Majesty. The Queen's desire to possess the ornament increased in proportion as the difficulty of its concealment appeared to vanish ; no obstacle remained but the payment, which, well know- ing it to be beyond her Majesty's immediate com- pass, I offered her my best exertions and my credit, which she accepted on condition of permitting her to enter into private arrangements corresponding with those personal securities I should offer to the jewellers. " Perfectly, as I then thought, comprehending her Majesty's meaning, I hastened to Paris, sent for the jewellers' address, and went to them immediately, under pretence of having some jewels set, which I took with me for that purpose. After some conver- sation I mentioned the necklace; said I was com- missioned to inquire the price, and that, in case the person meaning to purchase should decline to appear in the transaction, I would enter into a private agreement with Bhomer. " No difficulties appearing, I set out for Versailles, informed the Queen that the necklace was in my power, and only waited her Majesty's command. She answered expressly in these words : ' I shall approve of any arrangement whatever that you may make, provided my name does not appear in it.' " Thus empowered I returned to the jewellers, spoke of concluding the purchase and ultimately settling the value, but was surprised at the difference of my reception. Instead of the same eagerness, they expressed their fears, raised difficulties, and appeared to hesitate. To remove every obstacle I told them The Diamond Necklace. 233 at once that I "was purchasing for the Queen ; that her Majesty had very particular reasons for keeping the transaction secret ; but I, fully satisfied with the arrangement her Majesty had vouchsafed to make with me, was empowered to accede to any terms that could be mutually agreed on between us. I then personally drew up the articles, such as I thought conformable to her Majesty's inclination, and which would meet her approbation, which I communicated to them ; but one of them, Bassanges, started another difficulty, that being considerably indebted to M. de St. James, they could not conclude the business without previously acquainting him. Annoyed at these obstacles, I then told them, by way of dispers- ing them, that I would bring the articles approved and signed by the Queen ; that after they were pro- duced, and seen by none but themselves and M. de St. James, they could afterwards remain in trust with me till the total liquidation of the payment, for which I would give my own personal security. "With this they were perfectly satisfied, and I instantly wrote to the Queen that packet which you have just conveyed, requesting her Majesty's appro- bation in the margin to the articles I sent ; observing, that as that instrument would remain in my hands, her intentions would be fully complied with, and that her name would not appear publicly. And see," continued he, " what an answer I receive !" The Cardinal was in a most violent rage, as his expressions sufficiently demonstrated. Finding it impossible to gain his attention during these bursts of passion, I suffered him for a few minutes to give vent to them, knowing, at the game time, from 234 The Diamond Ned- lace. their violence, that they could not be of long conti. nuance. I was not wrong in my idea his exclamations against the treachery of women at length subsided, and I observed that there was nothing so very offen- sive in the Queen's letter as he might, at first sight, erroneously imagine. Kespecting the expression, that her name should not be seen in it, it had a very vague and indefinite meaning, which he might probably widely misinterpret; that it by no means implied that her Majesty would not accede to the purchase ; that her sending back the agreement was not to be understood that she did not mean to have it concluded, but merely that she waa dissatisfied with the drawing up of the articles, which, not coinciding with her ideas, she wished to have modified ; that the first thing to be done was to consult her Majesty, who had, on sending me back with the agreement, enjoined my return the same evening; but it being then too late, I would set off early the next morning, so that I might watch the first opportu- nity when her Majesty should be visible, when I hoped, by explaining everything to the Queen, I should bring him better news. The Cardinal was more cool, appeared pleased with my proposition, and allowed that it was absolutely necessary, since it was so expressly commanded, that I should again appear at Versailles ; he then gave me the agreement and departed. When I arrived at Versailles I was given to under- stand by Mademoiselle Dorvat that the Queen had expected me up to twelve o'clock the preceding evening, and that she was much out of temper. The Diamond Necklace. 235 Two Lours after I received a note from her Majesty, informing me that she should not be visible that day ; but commanding me to stay at Versailles, and that I should be apprised when she could be seen." The next day, upon my return from a short visit, I found a note from the Queen in these terms : " To-night, at half-past nine." I attended, with great timidity, at the hour ap- pointed. Her Majesty's courteous and affable recep- tion soon dispelled my fears. After many obliging speeches, she inquired if I had brought nothing from the Cardinal ? I answered in the affirmative, and drawing the agreement out of my pocket, said I was charged to receive her Majesty's commands on its contents. I then humbly represented the situation of the Cardinal, the difficulties he had to encounter, and the address with which he had vanquished them, in having at once satisfied the jewellers and coincided in her Majesty's wishes ; adding that the writing retained in his possession was a sufficient security that her name would never appear. The Queen replied that she had positively told him she would enter into no arrangements but with him- self; "and here," continued she, "he proposes a direct one with the jewellers ! Now, as I wrote him word, if I had chosen to treat with them, I could have done it without his assistance ; but now my name is actually mentioned. It is a most unpardonable indis- cretion ! He would have acted better by giving me notice, than by taking upon himself a business he was unable to execute." I suggested a reply, in hopes of exculpating the Cardinal, that " he had not foreseen the obstacles he 236 The Diamond Necklace. had lo encounter ; that zeal and a desire to serve her Majesty made him proceed in the negociations ; that upon so many difficulties being started, he was neces- sitated to make nse of her name, in order to clear himself of the suspicion, -which he but too strongly discovered they entertained, of his having a design to purchase the diamonds in. order to convert them into money; that finding no other means of procuring the jewels, and thinking equally to fulfil her Majesty's wishes, he mentioned her Majesty's name to inspire their confidence, and meant to keep possession of the writing to be strictly conformable to her Majesty's desire." The Queen replied, " From what you tell me, I am sorry that I wrote to him as I did. I will give you a letter to him. But does he not betray a want of tact in his conduct ? If inspiring confidence was all that was requisite, could he have devised no other mode ? He is perhaps ignorant of it, lut Hell it to you, that 1 have contracted with the King a formal engagement, not to set my name to anything without first communicating it to him. It is, therefore, impracticable ! See, between you, what can be done ; or let the idea of a purchase be given up ! It appears that the tenting being only a matter of form that those people being unacquainted ivith my handwriting you will consider of it. But, once more, I cannot set my name to it ! However, let the matter terminate which way it will, tell the Car- dinal that I will, the first time I seehin}, communicate the nature of those arrangements I mean to make with him." Thoughtless of the consequence, eager to obviate eye"v difficulty, and anxious to accommodate all The Diamond Necklace. 237 parties, I revolved every tiling that passed in my own mind, particularly her Majesty's expressions, that she considered it merely formal; that she was bound, by her contract with his Majesty, never to set her hand to any agreement without his consent ; that she wished to be possessed of the necklace ; that the Cardinal was eager to obtain her Majesty's appro- bation, who seemed satisfied with any arrangement, provided her name did not absolutely appear, in vio- lation of the contract she had made with his Majesty. "Without giving myself time to think, I consulted a friend, who perfectly coincided with me in the propriety of the measure, signed the name, Marie Antoinette of France, in the margin of the agreement. I mention not these circumstances to justify, but in some small degree to palliate, this imprudence, the greatest, and attended with the most fatal consequences, of any in my life, to the commission of which my natural vivacity of temper, and the impulse of the moment, backed by what I then termed plausible arguments, hurried me irresistibly away. I thought that the signature could not strictly wear the complexion of a forgery ; for the person whose name I procured to be signed would be accommodated by this fictitious signature. It was not a fraud, for the jewellers w r ould be possessed of the Cardinal's security, which they would not, as appears from his first application, have hesitated to admit, had it not been for my apprehensions ; and the Cardinal would, from the nature of Hs private arrangements with the Queen, be enabled to fulfil the stated times of payment regularly as they became duo. Biassed by these ideas, 16 2j8 77/6' Diamond Necklace. I was guilty of this error, for which I confess I de- served censure ; though possibly every rebuke may be covered by that enormous weight of misfortune which has assailed me in. consequence of this devia- tion from the path of rectitude. I had determined, then, upon this deception of .which I afc thafc period knew not the consequence. The mode of proceeding now busied my thoughts, . which must be in a manner the least liable to exception, and the best adapted to prevent discovery. When I first arrived at my own house, I was about to put down in the margin, "Approved by me, tlie Queen"; but I was doubtful whether, considering her contract with the King, the Queen would have adopted that signature. I was in a state of perplexity, and had some inclination to consult my husband; but I was fearful, upon recollection of the former difficulties he had started, that he would not fall into the scheme. Doubtful and perplexed in the extreme, while I was weighing one thing against another, and uncertain how to determine, the name of M. Retaux de Vilettc was announced. M. Retaux de Vilette was a person with whom I had long been acquainted ; he was on the point of obtaining, through my influence, a military appoint- ment, and could, I thought, hardly refuse doing mo what I termed a service of such trivial consequence. I accordingly kept him to dinner. He was acquainted with my relations with the Queen and the Cardinal. I had previously hinted what was contemplated rela- tive to the purchase of the necklace ; I now related every circumstance, and the precise state of every incident concerning it. TJie Diamond Necklace. 239 I had the satisfaction to find that M. Vilette per- fectly coincided with me in opinion. He told me that, not doubting but the Queen had made use of those expressions, it appeared to him precisely in the same point of view ; that it was a matter of indif- ference in what hand the approbation was written, since the jewellers were unacquainted with her Ma- jesty's writing. "But," said he, "neither you nor the Queen are perhaps acquainted with the danger of counterfeiting the handwriting of any individual : it is, in the eye of the law, a criminal offence, under the appellation of forgery. Doubtless you would not advise me to commit such a crime ; but this we may do : proceeding on the supposition that the jewellers are not acquainted with the Queen's handwriting, it is equally improbable that they should be acquainted with her signature. Your idea of signing Antoinette only, is a palpable forgery ; but Antoinette of France has certainly no meaning at all. Were the business to obtain the necklace improperly, then, whenever collusion was discovered, such a signature would indeed stand as a proof of it; but there being no doubt of the jewellers receiving their payments, since they are possessed of the Cardinal's security, secretly backed by the Queen's, I think one may, without great fear of detection, comply with these circum- stances, which shall be done in the following manner : First, I shall not disguise my hand ; secondly, I shall give the Queen the inaccurate title of Antoinette of France. This writing being presented by the Car- dinal, wiU not be scrutinized ; and you shall promise me to burn it, in my presence, when the jewellers are paid, and the business is ended." I gave him my 240 the Diamond Necklace. word of honour that it should be done ; upon which he signed the approbation. During the time of my being engaged with M. Rctaux de Vilette, I received a note from the Car- dinal, who was all impatience for my return. I sent back the messenger with an answer that I would see him soon ; but in the meantime everything went on well. The moment I was possessed of this approbation, I hurried away to the Cardinal's, from whom indeed I intended to have concealed the transaction; but reflecting a little as I went along that neither M. Vilette nor myself were perhaps fully aware of the consequences Avhich might happen, I determined to explain every circumstance, after having amused the Cardinal with a temporary deception. Wishing to make an experiment if the signature would pass cur- rent with him, " Here," said I, upon entering; " here it is at last!" The Cardinal perused the articles, examined the approbation, and exclaimed, " Yes, here it is at last!" I laughed heartily, and explained ihe whole transaction. He examined the paper more attentively, was pleased with what I had done, and observed that if the signature had deceived him, it would be much more effectual with the jewellers. The Cardinal depaiied, and on that very day (the 30th of January) concluded the bargain. The day following he sent me two letters, one for myself, de- siring my immediate departure for Versailles to de- liver the other, which was enclosed and addressed to her Majesty. In compliance with the Cardinal's request, I used till possible expedition in travelling to Versailles. As TJie Diamond Necklace. 241 soon as I arrived I received a note from the Queen, who vras a little indisposed, commanding the Cardinal to be in my apartment at nine at night, in his usual dress, with the box in question, and not to depart till he heard from her. The next day I accordingly transmitted this note to the Cardinal, as dii'ccted. About half-past eight he came to me in his isual disguise, with the box containing the necklace, which he deposited on a bureau. We remained soi_c time conversing upon a variety of topics, till our ooi versation was interrupted by the arrival of Lescla^Vf her Majesty's Groom of the Chamber (a man perkxtly known to the Cardinal, and frequently employed as a trusty messenger), who well knew the nature of their intrigues. This person delivered to the Cardinal a note from the Queen, couched in the following terms : " The minister (the King) is actually in my apartment. I know not how long his stay will be. You l-now the person whom I send: deliver the box to him, and stay where you arc. I do not despair of seeing you to-day." The Cardinal, after perusing the note, written, as well as the preceding one, in her Majesty's own hand- writing, delivered with his own hands the box con- taining the necklace to the very person whom the Queen herself had expressed to be deserving of her confidence. Lesclaux observed on departing that he had orders to wait at Madame de Misery's apartment till twelve. About half-past eleven the same Lesclaux returned with another note to the Cardinal, purporting that her Majesty was very much crossed, but expressly 242 TJie Diamond Necklace. acknowledging the receipt of the necklace, and con- cluding that she would see him the following day. Such is a very brief statement of the circumstances connected with the necklace : by the time it was received by the Cardinal from the jewellers till de- livered to Lesclaux it was not a moment out of his possession. Why, then, it may be asked, did he not call Lesclaux to account ? The answer is obvious because he was fearful of involving the Queen ; but he delivered it to Lesclaux with his own hands, and the Queen expressly acknowledged that she had re- ceived it. The necklace was delivered on the 1st of February, 1785; from the intervening months till the fatal catastrophe a variety of circumstances took place similar to those I have already related, and which I shall hastily pass over. On the 2nd the Cardinal received a letter from the Queen, wdiich did indeed but slightly mention the necklace; it stated, however, that the Queen ad- mired it, which made the Cardinal himself remark, at the time of reading the letter, that " the vessel liad sailed safe into harbour." This letter indeed I did not copy ; it was written in terms the most indecent, the most licentious that could possibly be imagined. For these reasons it is that I wish not to enter into any further particulars than is material to prove, from her Majesty's writing and from the Cardinal's own expressions, Vhai the necklace had reached tho port of destination. Nothing very remarkable occurred for some time, but letters in profusion, continual journeys for me to aoid from Paris, Versailles, Trianon, &c. ? &c. The Diamond Necklace. 243 About a month after the Queen was in. possession of this necklace, she wrote a letter to the Cardinal, informing him that some person had assured her that it was too dear by at least 200,000 livres, and stating that unless the jewellers consented to th-at abatement, she was determined to return it. The Cardinal, as usual, flew into a violent passion, loading the whole sex with the most abusive epithets, but found himself so far engaged as to be tinder the necessity of compliance with every caprice. The office of prime minister glittered before his eye, and endued him with a greater degree of patience than he was usually possessed of; those beams of elevation still daz- zled his eye, operated as a curb upon his temper, and subjected him to sustain what otherwise would have been intolerable. He communicated to the jewellers the contents of her Majesty's letter, who, thinking, the bargain ratified and confirmed, and the property delivered, were in no small degree surprised. The jewellers remonstrated strongly ; but the high position of the person insisting on the abatement, added to the fear of having it returned upon their hands, at length operated to induce them to consent to the deduction. This was the second arrangement with the jewel- lers the necklace was in her Majesty's possession, consequently at her own disposal. From this period, to that when I was charged (I am shocked at the repetition) with having stolen this jewel, difficulties arose, for the result of which I could not but tremble : a storm was gathering and ap- proaching rapidly, which threatened the most fatal consequences. The meetings between the Queen ar.d 244 The Diamond Necklace. the Cardinal were less frequent: the former was thoughtful and mysterious, the latter appeared un- usually reserved, and frequently out of humour. I was sensibly alarmed at this change, the effects of which I frequently experienced. The Queen was displeased with, the Cardinal, and I thought I read in her present conduct a design to punish me for having been instrumental in bringing them together. Coolness in her Majesty's bosom in- sensibly made way for disgust, and neglect tended to raise the Cardinal's resentment, to multiply his indis- cretions, and eventually to lead him to his punish- ment; he thought himself of consequence to the Queen, and with the most inconsiderate and incre- dible rashness, resolved, as he expressed himself, to mortify her Majesty by his absence. Deluded man ! what demon could have placed this bandage before thy eyes, and turned thee loose to wander over the precipice of destruction ! Thy ab- sence ! Alas ! there was nothing the Queen so earn- estly wished; there was nothing, thy destruction exc3pted, that she more anxiously desired. Have I not said that the Cardinal was guilty of some indiscretions ? and will not the correspon- dence bear me out in the assertion ? Have I not mentioned the infernal malice of the Polignacs ? to add, curtail, apply in short, to make everything an- swer their diabolical purposes ? Is there anything that I have hitherto said that does not wear the complexion of probability ? If there is, the Polignacs are amiable, the Queen virtuous, and the Cardinal discreet. I have before said that the Queen seemed as if she was displeased with me, as if she wished to punisU The Diamond Necklace. 24 5 me without ostensibly appearing to be actuated by that Avish. I have said that she wished to destroy the Cardinal, and I hope I shall be pardoned for such frequent repetitions, because I think them necessary to prepare the minds of my readers for what I have further to relate. One day, regarding me with her usual affability, her Majesty presented me with a box, accompanied with these words : " Here it is a long time since I gave you anything ; but don't tell the Cardinal that I have made you this present, nor even that you have seen me. Do you hear ? Do not talk to him of me." I have before said that I concealed nothing from the Cardinal, and there are some who will probably accuse me of breach of confidence, and of disobeying her Majesty's express commands. I confess I think my conduct in that respect not irreprehensible, at least it would require a much abler advocate than myself to defend it ; otherwise I might insinuate my prior ac- quaintance with the Cardinal, the interest he seemed to take in my affairs, and his generosity, previous to my having entertained an opinion that I should ever be able to render him any service with the Queen. I might perhaps hint that my gratitude, as well as my inclination, biassed me towards the Cardinal. Surrounded as I was with difficulties, where I had only the painful choice of selecting what to me ap- peared the least ; harassed with these dilemmas, with little time for deliberation, and obliged to act, obliged to proceed, I thought deceiving the Queen would be attended with less hazardous consequences than being obstinately determined to defend my errors 5 and the 246 The Diamond Necklace. oppression and malicious falsehoods of my enemies perhaps have been sufficiently enormous, I had almost said, to render it my dnty to take advantage of every argument that might eventually turn out in my favour, and possibly at once palliate my errors and diminish that weight of opprobrium with which I have been loaded. I will not only admit, but avow, that I acted wrong ; yet I will not avail myself of what I have just mentioned. I have a more powerful friend in the candour and generosity of the English nation, of which protection of the oppressed is the peculiar characteristic. I confess that I have been guilty of errors, and throw myself at once upon tho candour and compassion of my readers. As soon as I had examined the contents of the box, though totally ignorant of its value, I hurried away to the Cardinal, at once to communicate what had passed at Versailles, and to exhibit this recent proof of her Majesty's munificence. In the most earnest manner I conjured the Cardinal not to betray the confidence reposed in him, in express contradiction of her Ma- jesty's commands. I request that it may be ever remembered, and deeply impressed on the minds of my readers, that I brought these jewels to the Car- dinal ! After looking hastily over the diamonds, which he poured out on his table, and after a pause of surprise and a look of astonishment, he said, " These appear to me of considerable value : hoAV do you mean to dispose of them ?" I told him that I meant to sell the greater part, and reserve the remainder for my own use. He surveyed them again yet more atten- tively, and proposed my leaving them with him till The Diamond Necklace. 247 the following day. I complied without the least hesi- tation. This, I beg leave to remark, was another circum- stance in my favour as, by obliging the Cardinal to own they were returned, I produced an indirputable proof that, by exhibiting them to the Ttfj *i.i a. 1 almost the moment they were received, I at '*>"! juld not have stolen them. Had I been guilty -jf i^at crime had I not come fairly by them I should never have been so very simple (and my enemies allow that I was not deficient in cunning) as to run the hazard of detection by leaving them all night with the Car- dinal. But what did I do ? I made not the slightest scruple to the Cardinal's proposal, who said, in con- ducting me out, that he would weigh them, and in- form me what was their intrinsic value. This was just what I wished to ascertain. I thanked him, and retired, leaving the jewels loose upon the Cardinal's table. Next day I received from, him the following note : " DEAR COUNTESS, " I return by my Sidss the "box in question, and 1 advise you to sell the contents as quickly as possible. I will see you on my return from Versailles, when I will speak to you more fully ; but dispose of what I return to you soon" I confess that I was myself ignorant of the value of the present I had received. I was not very con- versant with the intrinsic value of diamonds ; yet I supposed, from the rank of the donor, that the gift was far from being inconsiderable, 248 The Diamond Necklace. I hastened to communicate my good fortune to my husband, but previously thought proper to appro- priate some of the smaller stones to purchase some few trifles -which I then had occasion for, and for which I did not choose to apply to my husband, intending them then for my own private use. Having first made provision for myself (a circum- stance, indeed, but too common), I delivered the remainder to my husband, who, the very moment that he cast his eyes over them, observed that they belonged to the necklace, and on that account he con- ceived it necessary, from prudential motives, to advise with the Cardinal relative to the mode of their dis- posal ; in which, as he then observed, it would be absolutely necessary to adopt the utmost circumspec- tion, lest, through the unaccountable fluctuations, and the rapidity of the circulation of trade, these jewels should fall into the hands of either Bhomer or Bassangcs, which would doubtless lead to sugges- tions by no means favourable to the parties concerned in the transaction. While we were engaged in this conversation relative to the disposal of the jewels, the Cardinal arrived in great haste, informed me that he would see me on his return from Versailles, whither he was then going ; in the meantime earnestly entreating me to be extremely cautious, and not show the jewels to any person whatever. TVhen the Cardinal returned from Versailles he informed me that, in his interview with the Queen, she did not once mention a syllable respecting the necklace, which was to him an inexplicable mystery ; that upon examination of the jewels she had pro- The Diamond Necklace. 249 Eented me, lie had discovered the most remark able stones in that ornament. It did not in the least surprise him that the Queen should take it to pieces, to make some alterations and disguise its form ; but he thought it extremely singular that her Majesty should not speak about it. At the same time he observed that he should be very much chagrined if the jewellers should hear that this ornament had been thus taken to pieces, adding that this would probably be the case, if I should attempt to dispose of stones of so remarkable a pattern at Paris. He, therefore, to obviate every difficulty, advised me to send them to Amsterdam. " These flat oval stones," continued he, " not according with the design of her Majesty's intended suite of diamonds, she has pro- bably considered them as trifles ; but I declare to you that they are worth not less than 30,000 livres, and you cannot dispose of them with either too much privacy or expedition." My husband perfectly coincided in the Cardinal's opinion, and immediately revolved in his own mind the means of putting his plan in execution, for which purpose he that same day called upon a Jew, named Franks, who consented to undertake a journey to Amsterdam, to dispose of the jewels. He accordingly set forward for that purpose. The disturbances at that time prevalent in Holland ren- dered his journey ineffectual, in consequence of which my husband determined to take the charge upon himself, to pass over to England, and he accordingly commenced his journey on the 12th of April, accom- panied by Chevalier O'Ncil, a captain of grenadiers, and a knight of St. Louis. 250 The Diamond Necklace. It was during this interval that the Queen's disgust towards the Cardinal was manifestly increasing, and rapidly advancing to its acme; their interviews were less frequent, and that time which was formerly occupied in a manner infinitely more agreeable was now spent in altercation, and they separated from each other mutually displeasing and displeased. The Cardinal now gave himself but little concern about the necklace ; he sometimes remarked that it was very singular the Queen made no use of her diamonds, particularly interrogating me if I had discovered anything new about any part of her dress? To such inquiries I uniformly answered in the negative. He seemed indeed surprised, but this surprise gave way to anxieties of far superior magnitude anxieties to which this circumstance was, as it were, an airy trifle. He thought he perceived a decrease of his interest with the Emperor, and he suspected the Queen was the cause of that decrease. He went further, and reproached her for having trifled with him relative to the arrangements for his promised elevation; he was offended too that he was not publicly received; his whole conduct was changed by these circumstances, and he even formed the extravagant resolution of speedily compelling her Majesty to do him justice. It was in vain to remon- strate : his obstinacy was, indeed, truly alarming, but of this what I have just related is a sufficient illus- stration. A few days after my husband's departure the Cardinal set out for Saverne, under the strongest conviction that her Majesty, to whom he thought himself essential, would not long be able to support The Diamond Necklace. 25! his absence, and would very soon recall him. Daring the absence of the Cardinal I continued paying my court to her Majesty, who very seldom men- tioned his name, and when she did it was in a manner not merely indifferent, but something worse. Among the number of causes which tended to sour the temper of the Queen, jealousy bore no small part. Reports of the Cardinal's intrigues, of his indiscre- tions, of the light manner in which he spoke of her Majesty to noblemen and others whom he thought his friends these reports, I say, hourly brought to her Majesty, and constantly echoed and re-echoed in her ear by those calumniators who generally swarm in Courts, had now wrought her to the highest pitch, and she wanted nothing but the opportunity of taking the most ample revenge. Such was the state of the Queen's mind when, on the 22nd of May, I was despatched by her Majesty Avith a packet to Saverne, which I was charged to deliver into the Cardinal's own hands. I will confess that my curiosity was strongly excited to examine tho contents of this packet, concerning which I had such positive injunctions ; but it was wrapped up so close, and bound with silk twist, and sealed every way, that it would have been impossible to have satisfied myself without the greatest risk of discovery. I flattered myself that the Cardinal would, in confidence, have trusted me with the contents. I was, however, de- ceived ; he said not a syllable that could lead me to conjecture what was the purport of that mysterious paper; but the Cardinal's dejection, his apparent anxiety on its perusal, clearly demonstrated that it conveyed no pleasing intelligence, and were melau- 352 77/f Diamond Necklace. choly omens "which induced me to augur as my fears but too strongly indicated. He uttered a few vague expressions, informing me that he should set off for Paris next day, without giving me any reason for his departure, or what was the intent of his journey. He returned to Paris, and wrote to Versailles, but he gained no admission his absence had given his enemies an opportunity of being busy with his fame. The Queen's resolution was firmly fixed : in vain did he strive to weaken those unfavourable impressions which his own indiscretions and the machinations of his enemies had rendered indelible ; in vain did he weary her with letters replete with remonstrance, every argument, every supplication they contained, were equally fruitless. They were worse they did but confirm the resolution they were intended to invalidate, and whet that desire for revenge which they were meant to destroy. His destmction was resolved : she did, indeed, condescend to write a line or two in answer ; but it was only to throw him off his guard. Revenge had taught her that degree of dissimulation which was subservient to her purpose, and she yet disguised her real sentiments, and at- tempted to stifle those sparks of resentment which were daily kindling in her bosom, till the Baron de Breteuil, the mortal enemy of the Cardinal, blew them into flames which could not be extinguished. The Baron de Breteuil, supreme head of the police, with fifty thousand spies in constant pay, and fifty thousand eyes so distributed in every quarter of the metropolis that nothing could escape their penetra- tion, had been for a long time acquainted with tho The Diamond Necklace. 253 secret negociation of the necklace, and he treasured it up with secret malignity, as a corner-stone whereon to rear the destruction of the Cardinal. He had several times sent for the jewellers, and interrogated them respecting the transaction; they as often ac- quainted the Cardinal, who strongly enjoined them to secresy, and advised them to say that the necldace was sent abroad. This part of the drama becomes highly interesting. The minister waited with mischievous intent, and with malignant impatience, the time when the first pay- ment should become due ; hoping the clamours of the jewellers in case of non-payment, which, from the extravagance and known embarrassments of the Cardinal, he had too great reason to hope would be the case, would at once unravel this mysterious transaction and entangle the Cardinal. The Cardinal, destitute ,of the means of pay- ment within himself, looked forward to the Queen for the fulfilment of her private engagements : he looked forward with the most anxious ex- pectation. Terrified by the Queen's aversion, and suspended between hope and fear, at one moment he was doubtful whether she would fulfil those engage- ments ; at another, he flattered himself she would do so. Apprised of the measures of the Baron de Breteuil, the Cardinal was doubly intent on securing the Queen's secret from discovery ; indeed, his whole conduct relative to this affair sufficiently demonstrates his internal conviction that her Majesty had received the necklace, and conceived that, in whatever manner she might think proper to dispose of it, she "was 17 2 < 4 The Diamond Necklace. bound to discharge the obligation contracted on her account. It appeared too that her Majesty was herself sensible of this, from her having given the Cardinal 30,000 livres in part payment to the jewellers for interest, which they refused to accept but as so much money on account towards the principal, and gave their receipt in that manner, acknowledging to have received the sum of 30,000 livres from her Majesty on account of the necklace. This, transaction did not escape the Argus eyes of the Baron de Breteuil, who, eager to warp everything to his own purpose, attempted by every art to alarm the jewellers ; and so great was his inveteracy against the Cardinal, that he forgot the respect which was due to the Queen. Before he had made any inquiries into the transaction before he had inquired whether the Queen had really empowered the Cardinal to purchase he boldly asserted that this was an imposi- tion, that the Cardinal had deceived them, and that their only resource was to exhibit their complaint in a memorial to her Majesty. Alarmed at this declaration, the jewellers no longer preserved the secret, but minutely related all the par- ticulars of the transaction, amongst which that of the signature of Antoinette de France was singularly striking. Possessed of every circumstance in the !*'ost authentic way, and professing at once the honest uxlj}.raation of a good subject, blended with the high- ~.'f degree of zeal for her Majesty's reputation, as- ^on.ing this plausible exterior to conceal the desiro of private revenge, the Baron hurried away with ar- dent impatience to request a private audience of the Queen, where he expatiated largely on the informatioij The Diamond Necklace. 255 acquired by his vigilance, and stated strongly, in colours suited to his purpose, the nature and per- nicious consequences of the discoveries he had made. The Queen, taken thus unawares, so suddenly sur- prised, chose not to disclose this circumstance to the minister, nor wished to put into his possession a clue that would unravel those secrets which it was her interest to conceal ; at the same time, pressed by the exigence of the moment, she affected surprise and in- dignation, and denied all knowledge of the transac- tion. She was now reduced to a disagreeable di- lemma, either to expose herself, or sacrifice the innocent. She decided upon the latter ; and as uniformity of conduct was necessary, having once acted wrongly she persisted in error. When the jewellers presented their memorial, on the perusal of the very first line, she exclaimed, with affected surprise, " What do theso people mean ? I believe they are parting with their senses!" My husband was now returned from London, whither he had been, as I before stated, to dispose of the jewels, accompanied by the Chevalier O'Neil ; the particulars of whose journey having been by himself related at large in my memoirs, I shall not introduce them here. Towards the beginning of July, probably the day after the conference of the Baron de Breteuil with her Majesty, I remarked to the Cardinal that my house was beset with spies. He replied, that he was persuaded his own was in the same predicament, but could not conceive the meaning. Alarmed at this intelligence, which neither of us 256 The Diamond Necklace. knew how to account for, I told the Cardinal that I would make it my business to see the Queen. I departed immediately to Versailles, and had the honour of an interview with her Majesty, to whom I imparted what had passed. She gave me no satis- factory answers, and considerably increased my fears by affecting to divert the conversation to another subject. One thing in particular caught my attention. She asked me whether, in the course of the present season, I was not accustomed to go into the country. I was extremely surprised at this question, to which I replied, that my only desire was to pass near her Majesty all the moments she would deign to honour me with ; and that I would never absent myself with- out receiving her express command for that purpose. Unable to gain any satisfactory intelligence, while everything wore the appearance of mystery, I with- drew in a state of extreme agitation. I found myself sealed for destruction, and that I should share in the punishment of the Cardinal. I immediately went to his hotel, and communicated to him, as the author, and the participant of my calamity, everything that had passed. He was reserved, thoughtful, and dejected. The next day, having been with the jewellers, whose fears of losing their property now more predominant than their promises of sccresy to the Cardinal had so far biassed them that they were evidently in a league with the minister, he returned in a violent rage, bitterly inveighing against the Queen, whom he loaded with the coarsest epithets and reprobated in the vilest terms. I was not without apprehensions that he had given Tent to his rage before the jewellers ; that he had pot The Diamond Necklace. 25? only made nse of some unguarded expressions, but even discovered some of those secrets which should not have been revealed, and which would only tend to precipitate his downfall, to accelerate his destruction. What Bassanges afterwards said to my husband con- vinced me that I was not wrong in my conjecture. The jewellers had no security but the Cardinal's honour, and probably feared that he too might deny the receipt of the necklace. It is impossible for me to describe the confusion in which everything was at this juncture : I clearly fore- saw the Cardinal's punishment, and in that, in dread- ful characters, anticipated my own. While I was thus harrowed up by the most dis- agreeable reflections, I received a little box, contain- ing three bills on the Caisse d'Escompte, of one thou- sand livres each, and one hundred louis d'or in cash, accompanied with a note in her Majesty's own hand- writing, stating that for particular reasons, which she would communicate at a proper time and in a proper place, she desired that I would set out for the country, promising that I should hear from her, and assuring me of her kindness. Unfortunately for me, I had long contracted the habit of entrusting the Cardinal with everything. I accordingly informed him of this. He read in the note his immediate disgrace, and hurried away to consult that star which influenced all his actions, Cagliostro ; by him he was fatally biassed, to him he gave up the reins of his understanding, and from him he imbibed those counsels which have produced Euch a dreadful catastrophe. That projector of horoscopes persuaded the Cardinal 258 The Diamond Necklace. not to enter into any personal negociation with the jewellers, which would probably have pacified them, as, not having any security but the honour of the Cardinal, they were under no small disquietude, and this circumstance made them more easily biassed by the Baron de Breteuil. He further pi-ejudicecl the Cardinal that, circumstanced as shq was, the Queen would not dare to speak about this business, but would be obliged secretly to compromise it. He next sug- gested to him the idea of terrifying me, and by that means inducing me to remove to a place of security, that he might make my flight into a foreign country an argument of guilt, and a proof that I had defrauded the jewellers, and was in possession of the necklace. I need not inveigh against the villany of this impos- tor, against the blindness, the delusion of the Cardinal the circumstances I have just mentioned speak for themselves. The Cardinal, implicitly guided by the counsels of this calculator of nativities, who pretended to have an intimate acquaintance with the stars, and a perfect knowledge of futurity, came to my house in the even- ing, and, expressly as he had been tutored by Cag- liostro, pretended to have made very important dis- coveries, and informed me that the Queen had formed the most malignant designs against us both. Though I had great reason, from her Majesty's note and the present sent me, to believe that her in- tentions to me were by no means so inimical as the Cardinal would wish to suggest, yet he laboured to terrify me as much as possible, that he might bring me to his view, and made use of the most artful insinu- ations to complete his purpose. Accustomed as I had The Diamond Necklace. 259 long been to be guided by his counsels, -when my fears were wrought up so high as not to stiffer me to attend to the dictates of prudence, he seized the moment to bear me away. Seeing me sufficiently alarmed, he told me there was but one way to save myself that I was most inevitably ruined if I and my husband did not take refuge in his hotel. Intimidated by what he represented, and not giv- ing myself time to think, I hastened to depart, and only waited a few minutes to leave instructions for my re- turn home. Accompanied by a trusty female, who at Versailles had frequently been witness to the meet- ings which the Cardinal and I so repeatedly had with the Queen, I blindly consented to be guided by the Cardinal's discretion, and attended by my woman accompanied him through byeways to his hotel. When my husband came home he perused my note, which desired him on its receipt to attend the Boule- vards, where he would meet M. de Carbonniere, who would immediately conduct him to me. Surprised at the contents, and ignorant of what had happened, he repaired to the place appointed, where he met M. de Carbonniere, who, attended by two heydukes, completely armed, conducted him mysteriously to the Cardinal's hotel. He asked many questions concerning the meaning of all this, but could get no other answer than that the Cardinal would give him an explanation. The moment the Cardinal observed him entering the courtyard, he exclaimed, in mingled accents of- joy and triumph, " Ah ! heaven be praised ! there is nothing more to fear !" As M. de la Motte came up stall's, and was running towards me to make inquiries 260 The Diamond Necklace. concerning what had happened, the Cardinal accosted him in these words : "All this surprises you because you are ignorant of everything ; but be not uneasy, you are now safe. I now defy the Queen, whom I laugh at, and her whole gang we shall see what turn matters will take. It is late go to your rest. I will see you early to-morrow, and we will talk toge- ther on the subject." When he had said this he retired, shutting all the doors, and taking away all the keys. My husband, surprised, desired me to explain this mystery. I explained everything, and was very severely reproached, as I very justly merited, for complying with advice so palpably absurd ; but this sudden compliance, so detrimental to my interest, is at least a proof of how I was often hurried away by that vivacity of temper which would not give me time to think, and proved how very little I was cal- culated for such complicated intrigues as my enemies have thought proper to charge me with. The air of satisfaction, the accents of exultation, which the Cardinal expressed at having us in his pos- session, gave my husband great reason to suspect that the Cardinal had some artifice, some scheme in his mind. Justly suspicious that the Cardinal had no good intent, M. de la Motte determined that we should both depart as soon as it was day. We laid down to rest, but agitated as we were, sleep did not weigh down our eyelids. The whole night was spent in speaking of our embarrassments, considering plans for our extrication, and reflecting upon the peculiarity of our circumstances. About seven in the morning the Cardinal appeared. He still laboured to impress us with the idea of our The Diamond Necklace. 261 danger, and strenuously insisted that it was highly necessary and peculiarly fortunate that we had removed the preceding night, and taken refuge with him. " I believe," continued he, "there is a suspicion of your being here : we shall see to-night, and take the neces- sary precautions for sending you oif to Couporai. Your house and mine have been surrounded all night. But you arc safe there is nothing to be feared here !" M. de la Motte still suspecting the Cardinal of some manoeuvre, resolved, if possible, to counter- act it, and determined not to remain there till night. He told" the Cardinal, in a resolute tone, that he could not comprehend what he meant ; that not being a party concerned, nor having had anything to do with his intrigues with the Queen, and having nothing to reproach himself with, he had nothing to fear ; desiring, at the same time, permission to return to his own house, where there were persons employed in packing up, previous to his return into the country, who would stand in need of his directions, and his own people, who would be uneasy at his absence. It was about this time that all our furniture was nearly packed up, and the waggons loaded, ready to set out for Bar-sur-Aube. This circumstance, how- ever, showed no great uneasiness as to our situation, as her Majesty had expressly enjoined us to go into the country, and we were to follow our furniture so much the earlier, in compliance with the Queen's commands. The Cardinal was greatly disappointed at the reso- lute and determined tone with which my husband addressed him, and exerted all his abilities to gain 262 The Diamond Necklace. him to his purpose ; but, finding his efforts vain, and M. de la Motte unalterably determined, he said, " Since, then, you will rush to your ruin, I clear my hands of it ; but wait at least the return of my courier, who will bring me news from Versailles." The Cardinal insisted so strongly upon this, that M. de la Motte, thinking it could make no very mate- rial difference, consented, on condition tfiat he should write a few lines to his porter, to make his people easy about his absence. The courier arrived from Versailles, and the Car- dinal pretended to give us the intelligence he had brought ; but all his thoughts, words, and actions were still guided by Cagliostro, and were moulded into any form that necromantic professor thought proper they should assume. "Well," continued the Cardinal, "all your schemes are now thwarted. I have at this moment certain intelligence that search is made after you, and that you will be instantly arrested if you go out. You have now positively but one course to take, in which I will direct your proceed- ing. I will cause you to be conveyed to Couvrai, where you will find a carriage that will take you to Meaux ; you must pass as belonging to my retinue, and the post-master will furnish you with horses. Then cross over the Rhine, and you will arrive at a village in Germany, where you will settle yourselves with a person to whom I shall recommend you : there you may remain unknown till matters shall wear a more favourable aspect. I will, however, provide you with a passport and all necessary letters." M. de la Motte replied that though he could not see any reason personally to fear, yet as he was igno* The Diamond Necklace. 263 rant how far my imprudence might have engaged me in the unhappy affair into which the Cardinal had drawn me, and uncertain what might be the conse- quence from the powerful enemies I had to contend with, he was determined not to forsake me, but to accompany me in my exile, if it was judged ab- solutely necessary ; but that he was previously determined to spend some time at Bar-sur-Aube, t prevent the astonishment and noise that would take place upon so sudden and extraordinary a departure. This proposal of continuing at Bar-sur-Aube was by no means consonant to the Cardinal's plan, he being pi-e-determined to accuse me, so as to render every suspicion as plausible as possible to support the accu- sation. For these reasons he had persuaded me to take refuge in his hotel, whither I had also drawn my husband; for these reasons he was anxious for oar immediately quitting the kingdom. The Cardinal remonstrated, and my husband in- sisted, till the altercation grew rather warm; and upon the Count's threatening to jump out of the win- dow into the garden, the Cardinal was necessitated to give up the point. " You are perverse," said he to him, " and that perverseness will be your ruin. You are suspicious of nothing. Till to-morrow take time for reflection : this day I will not permit you to go out of my house 'tis the very hour that spies prowl about. I shall see you to-morrow morning ; if yon then continue in the same mind, the doors shall be opened to you." Upon the faith of this promise my husband con* sented to stay another night, and early the next 264 The Diamond Necklace. morning the Cardinal suffered him to depart, after taking his word of honour that he would not make known the place of my retreat. M. de la Motte found everything at home as it should be ; no strange face had been seen by the por- ter, nor was the least appearance of spies to -be disco- vered in any quarter of the town. He went about his business, and appeared in places of the greatest resort, even at the Palais Royal ; in short, he made himself everyAvhere as conspicuous as possible. He had, indeed, promised to return in the evening, but having some packages to send off in the morning, he repaired to the Boulevards at the time appointed, and told M. de Carbonniere that he could not possibly attend that evening, but would call next day, and fetch me away. He then went home to bed. Early in the morning, as he was in the court-yard, giving directions to the people that were busily em- ployed in loading the waggons, Bassanges appeared at the gate. Seeing the Count, he went ^.p to him, and asked him if I was stirring. My husband told him I was at Versailles ; at the same time desiring him to walk into the house, where they might con- verse more conveniently. " I wish," said Bassanges, " to impart to your lady that I saw the Cardinal yes- terday, and he appeared greatly agitated. I am very much concerned for his disgrace, and shall be sorry if M. BJwmer should ~bring Mm into greater distress! His eminence makes complaints to us, exclaiming in our presence against the indignity with which he is treated, *That is not the immediate business between us!' One day he told us that we ought to make ourselves easy, that he had concluded all the necessary arrange- TJic Diamond Necklace, 26$ menis about the payments, that it was indeed just that we should be paid, and that he would pay us. Then walking hastily about the room, he made some speeches which I cannot repeat, but concluded by telling us that, since the necldace was denied to Mm, he might as well deny it too ! That was certainly done to create a great deal of uneasiness among us ; for as we have no security but his integrity, were he indeed to deny the receipt of it, as he threatened, we have no resource but from authority. In this state of anxiety I came to consult the Countess, to know from her the Cardinal's ultimate resolution. We do not wish him any injury, and should be very sorry for the consequences that might ensue from this affair. But " Here he paused. My husband found it easy to anticipate his mean- ing. The jewellers were pressed by the Baron de Breteuil and his agents to make the matter public, from which they were only restrained by the fear of losing the price of the necklace ; and as they were in possession of no written security to prove the pur- chase, the Cardinal was advised by Cagliostro to deny even the negociation of the necklace. This was the most pernicious advice that could possibly have been given. Instead of weakening the security, he ought to have strengthened it ; for not- withstanding the derangement of his affairs, yet still they knew he had many resources, that he had im- mense revenues, though greatly encumbered ; in short, they would have preferred any settlement, however indifferent, with him, to trusting to tho empty pro- mises of the Baron de Breteuil. Towai-ds the close of tho same day my husband, 266 The Diamond Necklace. on his return, told us the conversation that had passed with Bassanges, in consequence of his conver- sation with the other two parties. The Cardinal began to grow warm, and interrupted the course of M. de la Motte's narrative with such a torrent of severe reproaches, which lie poured down upon the Queen, as could not have been deserved even by the most dissolute of the sex. They were at once too shocking for delicacy to hear or decency to repeat. It was, without doubt, this unguarded temper of the Cardinal's, which frequently broke out without the least restraint, without any attention to the per- sons present, whether friends or foes, that had been industriously conveyed to the Queen, together with those coarse expressions that must have exasperated her to that degree of inveteracy which, as a Queen, she would be eager to revenge, and which, in fact, she could not easily forgive. When the Cardinal was quite weary with the abusive epithets he had dealt out so largely against the Queen, he again, in compliance with the scheme of Cagliostro, introduced the conversation of our journey to Germany. My husband consented to go, but thought it indispensably necessary to spend some time previous to his journey at Bar-sur-Aube, lest such precipitate departure should be malevolently misconstrued ; and the better to give colour to his journey, he would during the time of his continuance there circulate a report that he intended going to Spa. The Cardinal remonstrated strongly against his continuing a day at Bar-sur-Aube, told him that his safety absolutely required his departure, and strongly TJie Diamond Necklace. 26"* nrged his immediate flight, and reproved him ranch for perverseness and obstinacy. All the Cardinal's rhetoric was, however, ineffectual: M. de la Motte was resolutely determined he swerved not an iota from his original resolution. Finding him so firm, the Cardinal took up a card, on which he marked the day of our departure from Paris, calculated the time of our progress to Bar-sur-Aube, the time of our con- tinuance there, and how long it would take us to pass on to Germany. After this arrangement we took leave of the Car- dinal, who was strongly impressed with the belief that my husband meant to undertake the intended journey to Germany : though, in fact, neither of us dis- covered any necessity for such a measure. The whole conduct of the Cardinal his detaining us in his hotel, and his earnest desire for our immediate departure to Germany all tended to give us strong suspicions that some extraordinary scheme was in contempla- tion ; and our ideas were indeed but too well founded. When we left the Cardinal, we went immediately to Bar-sur-Aube, where we spent a fortnight without the least molestation. On the 17th of August we paid a visit to the Duke de Penthievre, at Chateau Vilain: it was the eve of that Prince's departure. From thence we proceeded to Clervaux, where we arrived in the evening. It was then that we received the first intelligence of the Cardinal being in the Bastille. We were by no means alarmed it was no more than we expected ; and had we been guilty or conscious of the least criminality, we could not have been in a better situation for making our escape, nor could our flight have been more easily effected. At that 268 The Diamond Necklace. time we had all our diamonds, a good carriage, with four fine fresh horses, and four more that had brought ns from Chateau Vilain : in short, had we been conscious of any degree of guilt, or of being at all brought into question for such a charge as was after- wards exhibited, nothing was more easy than that very night to have escaped out of the kingdom, but we returned home to Bar-sur-Aube. Having received intelligence that the Cardinal was in the Bastille, I employed myself nearly tivo hours in burning all the letters and notes which I then recol- lected to have in my possession, between the Queen and the Cardinal in short, I thought it my duty to remove all vestiges of a correspondence between the Cardinal and the Queen. I accordingly burnt a very large collection of papers ; but I had omitted some, which were not discovered by the exempts in their scrutiny of these I shall speak hereafter. At this moment begins the denouement of the plot practised against me : at this moment I am about to relate that which will move the reader with horror against a government, which all the universe lias long- supposed to be renowned for wisdom and justice. In the following statement, so far from being suspected of exceeding, I may possibly be censured for falling short of the truth. Is it possible for the imagination to conceive, or for the pen to describe, even in the most vivid colours, the horrors of that dreadful Bastille ? I shudder even at the very name of that dungeon of despair, that tomb of broken hearts, where so rcany miserable victims have been immured without any accusation, without even being acquainted with the nature of their offence, but doomed by the arbitrary The Diamond Necklace. 269 will of the sovereign to pine away their miserable existence, till death, dreadful as he is to others, (basking in the sunshine of prosperity, and revelling in one continued round of fashionable amusements) wears here a veiy different aspect. Here he appears like a smiling angel, a kind deliverer, whose approach they anticipate with rapture, whose touch dissolves the fetters. Ye horrid towers dire monuments of despotism! disgrace of human nature, are ye then fallen at last ? Your dungeons have disgorged their victims, and, thanks to Liberty, ye are levelled in the dust ! An innocent prisoner in your gloomy caves, these eyes have beheld your terrors, the recollection of which creates such a depression of spirits as nothing can equal but the joy of my heart in contemplating your destruction ! To this terrible prison was I conducted at four o'clock in the morning, entirely ignorant whither it was intended to convey me, and so little anticipating the event that I Avas dozing in the carriage. In the course of our journey the carriage was stopped, and questions asked by some persons without, to whom the person within said, " Don't you know this car- riage?" "Oh, yes!" replied the other. "Don't stop us, then : wo have nobody but a state prisoner." At this the carriage proceeded. Hearing this con- versation I awoke : the termination of the dialogue roused all my faculties. " What do you say ? " ex- claimed I, in a tone of great agitation. "A state prisoner! Alas! am I then a state prisoner?" And these people swore that it was not so. But there is some excuse they belonged to the police ; and per- jury and bearing false-witness is no small part of 18 2/O The Diamond Necklace. their employment. Yet did they use such kind ex- pressions that, knowing my innocence, I flattered myself I -was deceived. One of them said to me, " Madame, I wish we had arrived at my house, where I could accommodate you with a bath and a bed ; for as it is now," continued he, " so very early, I'm afraid we shall not be able to get an interview with the Baron de Breteuil, who gave me orders, if we arrived too early, to conduct you to my house, and to wait upon him about eleven ; therefore be composed, and try to sleep a little." All this time I remained upon my seat, till, soon after, they desired me to conceal myself in the bottom of the carriage ; this was when we arrived at the gate of St. Antoine, where they endeavoured as much as possible to place themselves before me, that I might neither be seen by any one nor observe the turning to the Bastille. Finding myself rather warm, I said, " Let me see." I looked out, and discovered the Bastille. "How! " I exclaimed, with great sur- prise ; " is it to the Bastille, then, that I am going ? Oh! you are all impostors!" They endeavoured to pacify me, and begged me to make no disturbance ; told me that they were not their own masters ; that they had received their orders, but they assured me that they were entirely ignorant of the reason for which I was carried to the Bastille, and that they were persuaded that in a very few days I should be liberated. By this time we had arrived at the first bridge, lead- ing to the Governor's house. The postillion knocked, and many invalids came out. The postchaise be- longing to the police advanced to the Governor's The Diamond Necklace. 271 door, who came out himself in a role-de-chambre to the carriage to give me his hand, begging me at the same time to excuse his deshabille. He then con- ducted me into a large hall. Soon afterwards the King's Lieutenant arrived (of whom I shall hereafter have occasion to speak frequently), with a large book in his hand, wherein he entered the date of my ar- rival, and afterwards presented it to me to sign my name, with which I complied. During this ceremony, which only occupied a few minutes, the Governor, with the exempts of the police, was in the court, where they were giving him an account of every cir- cumstance which had occurred in the execution of their orders. This done, the Governor returned and asked me if I would take any refreshment, adding, " We shall take great care of you, Madame." I then asked him into which apartment I should go to receive the Baron de Breteuil, at the same time telling him I hoped he would come at eleven, as the exempts had informed me. " Oh, there is not the least doubt of it, Madame," replied the Governor. He then called St. Jean, the turnkey, to whom he gave my papers, to place them, as I have since heard, in the archives ; after which the Governor desired the King's Lieutenant to conduct me to my apartment. Some little conversation passed relative to the place of my destination, of which the Lieutenant seemed uncertain. " Oh ! " said the Governor, " La Comptee is the best; it is very light." He then left me in company with the King's Lieutenant, whose arm I took, persuaded that I should be shown into some other apartment, and for a far different purpose. As I went along I saw some soldiers (invalids) covered 272 The Diamond Necklace. with blue cloaks, large hoods over their heads, with long bands hanging down, and closed in front. As I passed several, I was not a little surprised to see them turn their backs towards me, it being the cus- tom, when any prisoner arrives, to turn themselves round, fearing lest any should take too much notice. I began to laugh with the Lieutenant at the novelty of this, particularly at such grotesque figures thus clad in masquerade. Since this period I have been informed that these good old invalids have said much concerning my behavioitr, and have, among other things, observed to St. Jean, my turnkey, that they had never before seen a prisoner who appeared so indifferent : that they had heard me laugh, which had excited their curiosity; and that they had observed me particularly without my perceiving it. I cannot say that anything, except the passage of this bridge and the odious great gate, put me into any kind of terror ; perhaps there never was a prisoner who viewed even these with so much indifference. We passed on till we arrived at the court, whosa staircase led to the tower of La Comptee. I passed on with as much vivacity as if I had been entering a drawing-room ; for I was at this time so lively, and had such an incredible flow of spirits, that these places, so dreadful to others, did not in the least affect me. How great is the power of innocence, which can, with a steady eye, behold all the gloomy mansions of punishment, and the terrific engines of torture, with a gaiety that nothing but itself can inspire ! Sup- ported by this, I can with truth assert that, while The Diamond Necklace. 273 traversing this dreary cave of despair, I had not one gloomy, one desponding idea. We now prepared to mount the staircase. Observ- ing that the Lieutenant spoke very softly as we as- cended, I did not follow his example; but, on the contrary, spoke in a louder and more confident tone. I knew nothing of the regulations of this prison, and I cared but little about them ; I had, indeed, but a very imperfect idea of the nature of the Bastille, and very erroneously imagined that the Cardinal must certainly be confined in this tower ; and what made me so strongly think that this must be certainly the case, was that mysterious behaviour of the Lieu- tenant, and the silence which he enjoined me to observe. "Oh!" exclaimed I, "is this the way, Mr. Lieu- tenant ? This staircase is extremely narrow." I ascended, speaking very loudly, with the intention of making myself heard by the Cardinal, if he should chance to be there. The Lieutenant made no answer to my questions, and said little or nothing during our passage till we arrived at the apartment destined for my reception, all the gates of which were very large and open. St. Jean, who was to be my turnkey, attended me thither. Struck with such a dismal change of situation, so very different to what I had ever been accustomed, I could not help expressing my dissatisfaction to the Lieutenant. " If this is the place," said I, " which the Governor pleases to call my apartment, to be sure I am greatly obliged to him." I then went to look at the bed, which was, indeed, a wretched one ; told him that it Avould be impossible for me to sleep in a bed so miserable as that, and demanded if he 274 The Diamond Necklace. could not accommodate me with one as good as the Cardinal's ? He replied, very politely, that he did not really comprehend my meaning. It must be remarked that in these cells of desolation everything wears the appearance of mystery. Nothing could be more dangerous to those who meant to oppress than the discovery of the truth. Fear is the pillar of despot- ism, which, viewed through the medium of mystery, appears a massive column, but examined by the eye of reason, is but a slight prop, just supporting a muti- lated structure, every moment threatening its fall. The agents of tyranny, to be successful, are obliged to be secret ; and it was a regulation in the Bastille that no account should be given of any of the pri- soners confined there, neither of their names, ac- cusers, or the nature of their offence ; they are cut off from all communication. But a particular secresy is observed concerning those who are unfortunately imprisoned for the same offence. My disapprobation of the bed was attended with a favourable alteration, and the turnkey substituted for that of which I had great reason to complain an excellent feather-bed, with fine sheets and curtains. Thus accommodated, and extremely fatigued, I at- tempted to get some rest ; but I was scarcely in my bed when the Lieutenant, with my turnkey and another, arrived, who were certainly at the gate, which they had not shut, perhaps not wishing to terrify me by the dreadful rattling of those massive bolts. The two turnkeys then took my clothes and my pockets, out of which they took all the contents, consisting of several little articles, particularly a gold etwee Bet with pearl; another of tortoise-shell; a The Diamond Necklace. 275 small ivory box ornamented with gold, having on its lid a small miniature, with a gold rim, containing a small mirror and some rouge ; an English pocket- book, bought of Mr. Gray ; a knife with a tortoise-shell handle and a gold blade; my purse, containing eighteen louis and about nineteen livres ; a gold repeating watch, with a diamond chain, which I pur- chased of one Franks, a Jew. These articles, with several others, they took out of my pocket. Indignant at such humiliating treatment, which I could not patiently endure, I remonstrated with some asperity, and threatened to inform the Baron de Breteuil, whom I was simple enough to believe I should see. They were, however, regardless of my threats, and having executed their orders, departed through those dreadful doors, which, with their horrid bolts, were closed upon me, and the sound pierced my very soul. Thus circumstanced, my situation may be better conceived than described, yefc I was not now distressed by those fearful imagina- tions which afterwards tormented me. My present situation was, indeed, inconvenient ; but I yet consoled myself with the hope that I should see the Baron de Breteuil, when I should be immediately released from confinement. About eight, my turnkey came to the door : I spoke to him, but he paid me no attention, and departed without saying a word. I rose to examine this dismal habitation, and traversed the chamber in every direction, backwards and forwards : there was nothing ; no furniture, but the bare walls ; no cabinet, no accommodation, nothing but a stove and a small chimney. I opened the window to see if I could 276 The Diamond Necklace. discover anybody, or make myself sufficiently con- spicuous for anybody to see me. I climbed up to the highest part of the window, holding my face close to the bars ; but could discover nothing as for people, it was impossible to distinguish them. While I was thus ruminating upon the horrors of my situation, about nine o'clock I heard a knocking on the ceiling of the apartment below : I listened attentively. It began again, and as if to gain my attention, I heard five distinct knocks, after which it ceased. My heart palpitated. "Is it not the Cardinal ? " thought I. " Oh, yes, it must certainly be him!" I then employed myself upon what it might mean : " Five strokes," thought I, " signifies the Queen. He is surely informing me that his correspondence has been discovered. I sat myself down on the ground that I might hear more atten- tively: the knocking re-commenced and was more frequent: I imagined it was really as I thought, and I answered after my own way, thinking that I under- stood and could make myself intelligible, and believed that this knocking was meant, where words could not be conveyed, to supply the want of conversation, I thought I understood everything better than I should be able to make myself understood, and was greatly pleased in the persuasion that this was certainly the Cardinal. Soon after the turnkey returned to inquire what I wished to have for my breakfast, and stated that the Governor made me the offer of some excellent broth. I accepted this offer, and when my break- fast was brought, I desired the turnkey to entreat the Governor not to foi'get me with the Baron de Breteuil, The Diamond Necklace. 277 according as I had been promised, and to remind him that it was then near eleven o'clock. As soon as the turnkey departed, the knocking re- commenced. I laid my breakfast down on the floor to answer, but about a moment after, I heard St. Jean open the door of the chamber which I supposed to be that of the Cardinal. About noon the Lieutenant came to fetch me. He politely desired me to put on my calash. I complied immediately, and being prepared, I begged the favour of him to go before and show me the way. My intention was, if possible, to get the Lieutenant to descend at some distance, while I stopped at the Cardinal's door, which I did. "Are you the Car- dinal?" said I, in a low tone. When I came before the door, I made a noise : the Lieutenant stopped, as if he heard me. " This is a very disagreeable stair- case," said I, to the Lieutenant; but I could not satisfy my curiosity. I was then conducted to the Salic du Cornell, at the bottom of the court, where are the six towers. I found there, instead of Breteuil, M. de Crone, Lieutenant of Police, in largo black robes, and the Commissary Chenon. After a complimentary introduction, ho asked ma M if we might proceed to business." I answered in the affirmative, expressing my astonishment at not seeing the Baron de Breteuil. " He is very much indisposed with the gout," replied he. My papers were then ordered to be brought. " Before I proceed I must assure you that I am charged to read atten- tively everything which these papers contain." He then proceeded to examine the papers as they camo to hand. They seemed to pause at one whose writing 278 The Diamond Necklace. was remarkably fine. M. de Crone made the Com- missary take notice of it. " Oh, no ! this is net the same writing," said the Commissary to M. de Crone. " Which writing are you speaking of ?" inquired I. " Nothing, nothing, Madame." " But perhaps, gentlemen, I shall be able to set you right." They would not, however, permit me to explain, nor suffer me to interfere at all in the business. This first examination lasted three hours. In the afternoon we began again, and continued till one in the morning. That same evening M. de Crone said to me, "I beg you, Madame, to raise your hand before this image of Christ I have questions to put which I beg you to answer me with truth and sincerity." I complied, and prepared myself to answer. " You are accused, Madame, of having gone abroad with a diamond necklace, which you have illegally appro- priated to your own use." M. de Crone could scarcely refrain from smiling for my part, naturally inclined to laughter, this com- mencement, so extremely ridiculous, made me abso- lutely burst into a loud fit. " And pray, Monsieur de Crone, who are these simple people who have accused me thus ?" I urged him to give an explana- tion, and in the meantime regarded him attentively. " It is the Cardinal de Rohan, Madame, who has said this." I yet could not help smiling, as I could never suspect that the Cardinal had uttered anything so palpably untrue. " Oh ! my good Monsieur de Crone, I fear you are a wicked moulonl" It is neces- sary to observe that the police of Paris is composed of monsters of every description, who for money will metamorphose themselves into any shape, and use The Diamond Necklace. 279 deceptions of every kind. That class which goes under the denomination of Moiitoiis is allowed a crown a-day. These beasts of prey are let loose from their secret caverns to exercise their functions upon some person who is either actually confined or sus- pected by the police to be guilty of some crime which he will not confess, and whom they have not suffi- cient evidence to convict. It is here that these moutons exert their talents here they prove their adroitness in worming out of the victim they assail sufficient materials, which by the industry of these spiders is woven into a web to entangle, or if that is not sufficient, perjury comes to assist them : they swear to what they have never heard. In short, all their business is to accuse; and to such wretched subterfuges is despotism obliged to have recourse, that they take the mere assertions of these wretches for substantial proof. I know not how to convey a better idea of their office to an English reader than to com- pare them to an informer upon a breach of the penal statutes or an exciseman, though the latter would certainly in a great degree suffer by the comparison. These moutons advance gradually from one step to another, till they are supposed to have discovered the commission of flagrant crimes When possessed of Eufficient materials, they then positively charge the person with murder, or robbery, 01 conspiracy against the state, according as the accusation stands, or the police wish to believe. Upon this foundation is reared the materials for the accusation, which rises rapidly, and produces in effect the destruction of the prisoner. It will easily be seen that this term, moutoiWj is an 280 The Diamond Necklace, ironical appellation a term given for all those quali- ties in which they are notoriously deficient. When these gentlemen have faithfully fulfilled their duty in the subordinate capacity of moutons, they are then promoted to the rank of spies, where they still assume the appearance best adapted to their purposes, and avail themselves of some very fair and plausible pre- text to enter your house, as vendors of poultry or something similar ; they then approach even into your very kitchen ; they see everything in the twinkling of an eye ; they hear everything ; nothing escapes their notice ; and they glean everything they can, either from the servants of the family or any disaffected person, collecting the suspicions of malevolence, which they fashion to the appearance of truth. It is a compliment due to M. de Crone that he was but a very young lieutenant of the police, and not such an adept in his office as his predecessor, M. de Noir, whose ingenuity would have given this matter a far different direction, by putting ques- tions more calculated to puzzle and perplex, and either tending to elicit a confession, or engaging me at least to make a strong and definite answer. I apologize for this digression, which I thought neces- sary in defining a class of men which the free govern- ment of England has rendered unnecessary ; and return to M. de Crone. That gentleman proceeded in Lis interrogatories, and added, " that I had been commissioned to make a purchase for the Queen, and that after the purchase was completed, instead of delivering it to her Ma- jesty, which I had engaged to do, I had absconded with the article into a foreign country." I was so The Diamond Necklace. 281 struck with this charge that I was unable to reply to so great an absurdity; and such was my natural impetuosity of temper that I could ill brook a charge like this, so alarming to my sensibility. At that moment I was about to make a disclosure of every circum- stance, every transaction relative to that fatal busi- ness, but the politeness of M. de Crone, and the deli- cate terms he adopted to make me comprehend the cause of my commitment, tended in some measure to compose my agitated spirits, and to enable me to make such replies as the impulse of the moment and the circumstances of the charges seemed to indicate. " What absurdities ! what ridiculous suppositions ! How, sir ! if I am really accused of such an odious crime, how is it that I should be found in my house at Bar-sur-Aube, without having removed either my own or my husband's jewels ? Why have they not made the strictest search to discover whether or no the necklace was in my possession? Had they done this at the time, there could have remained no doubt, and your question would have been totally futile." I begged M. de Crone to send to my houso at Bar-sur- Aube, that they might scrutinize more narrowly. He applauded my request; and I conjectured from his manner that all these ridiculous questions were ar- ranged and settled by the Baron de Breteuil. It is an act of justice due to M. de Crone, and I wish to record it, as my enemies have asserted that it is not in my power to speak well of any one, that M. de Crone behaved to me with the utmost politeness and atten- tion during the three days of our business together. On the 24th, the Commissary Chenon came into my chamber alone, at ten o'clock in the morning, 282 The Diamond Necklace. with a handful of papers, quite out of breath. Aftef having passed some hasty compliments, the turnkey brought a table for him to write upon, and gave mo paper, pen, and ink. He drew up some questions in writing, nearly the same as those which had been formerly put by M. de Crone relative to the necklace : " How my husband and I came by such and such diamonds?" My first answer was, that he might send to Bar-sur-Aube and inquire. He begged me to pardon him, proceeded in writing very fast, and about an hour afterwards gabbled over something I scarcely understood, which he begged me to sign. I complied, and I believe I should almost have signed my own death-warrant to get rid of the persecution of this tedious old man, who made himself extremely disagreeable and troublesome. For the space of a week I was plagued with one or two visits a-day from this officious man. "I know very well," said he, in his last visit, " that you have received a present of diamonds from the Queen. Were I in your situation, I would say that they were given me by the Car- dinal ; that will save the trouble of all the questions which I am sent to put to yon. You know that the Baron de Breteuil is your friend." As I am not na- turally of a suspicious temper, I was very communi- cative to this wretch, who appeared quite con- versant with everything that had passed. I gave him an account of everything, even to the very diamond which the Queen had given to Mademoiselle Dorvat. It was this cunning dissembler who made me sign those odious things which I was supposed to have said myself, and which were so detestable that when they were read by his Majesty he spat The Diamond Necklace. 283 upon them, saying, " Fie ! oh, fie upon the filthy creature !" Such was his Majesty's expression ; and it is beyond a doubt that this mercenary hireling had been bribed by my enemies to render me the object of royal disgust. This man engaged me to write ev.ery circumstance that had passed, as he said, for the inspection of the Lieu- tenant of Police and the Baron de Breteuil. I believed him sincere, and under that impression I gave him my confidence, at the same time desiring him to com- municate to the Baron de Breteuil that I had received his letter at Bar-sur-Aube ; observing to the Com- missary that this letter had directed me to abide by, and informed me that I could not swerve from, my original declaration ; that I could not vary my state- ment by saying that I had received the necklace from the Cardinal. I remonstrated strongly against this, and contended that if I should make this assertion, they would immediately have asked me what had be- come of the necklace ? and not being able to give a satisfactory account of which, they would instantly judge that this was an evasion. But, on the other hand, as the Cardinal knew very well how the Queen had disposed of the necklace, her cause would become much clearer in naming those to whom she had given it ; otherwise it would be understood that the Queen and myself were in a combination to deceive the Cardinal. This man, however, would not swerve: he still persisted obstinately in his opinion, and to all my rational remonstrances replied, with the peevish- ness of age, " It is the Baron de Breteui' then, Ma-. 284 The Diamond Necklace, dame, if you will force me to divulge it, who has devised these means, that the Queen may not be ex- posed and questioned." "And what will become of me ? Will it not be said that I have deceived the Cardinal?" "No, Madame, by no means. He, indeed, may lay everything to your charge; but make yourself easy : we shall take care to saddle him with everything." He then made use of every argu- ment to exasperate me against the Cardinal. " Only think what a monster he must be," continued he, " to charge you with having absconded with the necklace ! It is impossible for you to criminate him too much. You may retaliate fairly, without the least apprehension that he will have the presumption now to flatter himself he can have an interview with the Queen. Write then every circumstance, every tittle relative to this affair, and put it into my hands." This man, like many others skilled in the art of dissimulation, could sometimes assume the semblance of truth when he was totally deficient in the sub- stance. Could I at that time imagine that a man could be a villain where he had no interest to be so that he could have lured into his toils one who had never done him any injury ? But perhaps I wrong the Commissary Chenon. He was subservient to higher powers. I know not the weight of this exte- nuation- if it is an excuse, let him plead it to his own conscience. I accordingly complied with this request. This man had done everything in his power to exasperate me against the Cardinal, whom, from the very nature of his accusation, I was indeed bound to regard less much less than I did; nor had he any reason to The Diamond Necklace. 285 expect that I should attempt, in the manner I did, to ward the blow that was levelled at his head, which, by such interposition, only glanced at him, but crushed me to atoms. When I was interrogated by Chenon, the questions were put in such singular and complicated terms that I scarcely knew what to answer; and the interrogatories were previously framed to extract such answers as might be easily moulded to the virulent purposes of that party to whom they were calculated to be sub- servient ; add to this, that my replies were made in a state of agitation. I could not yet believe seriously that the Cardinal had made such a monstrous accusa- tion. "All this," thought I, " may be a trap to de- ceive me, and make me instrumental in sacrificing the Cardinal to the Queen's resentment. If he has indeed thus traduced me by this horrid charge, as guilt is not always endowed with confidence, he surely will not dare to look me in the face." I was nine days without seeing the Commissary. During that time I was quite spiritless : fatigued with walking to and fro in my chamber, my mind was dis- turbed, and my ideas rising in a melancholy succes- sion, still exhibited in different aspects the horrors of my wretched and comfortless existence for want of air, want of exercise, deprived me of that pleasing variety so essential to health. My countenance wore the sallow hue of langour, and my eyes were dimmed with weary watching, and hope protracted to despair. The turnkey observing my situation, communicated it to the Governor, who came to visit me, and finding mo sufficiently calm, proposed my taking a walk on the tower, and continued with me a 19 286 The Diamond Necklace. short time previous to our walk with the old Major. After dinner we ascended the tower. At that timn there had been a slight shower, which made the stones upon which we walked very slippery. I held by the arms of these two gentlemen, and we proceeded some paces from my tower. I observed the print of a foot at a small distance from that part of the pavement upon which we walked, and a circular piece of wood painted red. At sight of this I recoiled with horror: the Governor viewed me with surprise. " Oh, no ! " replied I, " I will walk no further;" keeping my eyes fixed at the same time upon the place which had so terrified me. " Certainly," said the Governor, addressing himself to the Major, " Madame believes this circle to be the place of the dungeons, for I know that such a notion prevails abroad, and people are inquiring almost every day, if it is really true that there are such things in the Bastille ? To convince you, however, Madame," said the Governor, " we will go and lift up the door ; but to calm your appre- hension, I give you my honour, Madame, that this hole, the gate of which leads into the court on the same side with your apartment, is for the purpose of raising stones to repair the building." The Governor and the Major then proceeded to gratify my curiosity. They, with their united strength, were not able to raise the lid ; which, besides being very thick and heavy, from not having been for a long time opened, the dirt had made it stick very fast. They called one of the invalids, by whose additional assistance they effected their purpose. My prejudice was effectually cured, and J *hen found that the The Diamond Necklace. 287 Governor had told me the truth. I walked on with confident composure, without the least fear of dungeons ; but the word created some very disagree- able reflections, which, according to my general way of speaking everything I thought, I did not endeavour to suppress. After insinuating to the Governor that I was per- suaded he detained a great number of unfortunate creatures in chains, and that many of them were doomed to be detained there for their lives, I avowed my belief that the popular opinion was not unjust ; for if these prisoners are suddenly apprehended and carried off by emissaries of the police, when their families are ignorant where they are detained, they may be said to be in dungeons ; while they remain in total oblivion, it may be very truly believed that there are dungeons in the Bastille. The Governor pretended that no person ever died there, but this assertion was more than I chose to credit. He told me that every prisoner was detained there either by order of their relations or the state, but that these remained here only a small number of years. Having proceeded thus far in giving some account of what happened in the Bastille, it may not, perhaps, be unsatisfactory to give some account of many other little incidents which occurred at my first entrance into that abode of horrors, which has now disgorged its victims, who, thanks to Liberty, have burst their cerements, and again revisit the cheerful light of day. During my residence in this home of woe, I scruple not to relate those minute incidents which, however they may be censured by the austerity of criticism, may probably afford entertainment to those who 288 The Diamond Necklace. read more to gratify curiosity than to hunt for blemishes in that melancholy catalogue of misfortunes which comprise the life of a female too much agitated to attend to the propriety of diction, or to weigh tho importance of the occurrences she relates, and apply them according to the disposition of her readers. She wishes not to tell a tale which the learned alone would approve; but to suggest that she is writing her life, which must naturally be supposed to be made up of minutes, as well as incidents of greater magnitude. Were she to confine herself to the latter, she might render her narrative more interesting ; but by suppressing the former her truth would be suspected. To those candid readers who consider the peculiar circumstances, the distressing situation of the authoress, she addresses these minute occur- rences of her comfortless existence to these she appeals to these she lifts up her voice for these she guides her pen, and delineates the features of her life. Upon my arrival at the Bastille my food was brought to me in pewter plates ; these I rejected, and left the food untouched in the place where I found them. When the turnkey came to take them away, he seemed a little surprised, and after pausing some time, said, in a rude manner, " So, then, you don't choose to eat, it seems." " No," replied I, " I don't choose to eat. I desire to know if you serve the Cardinal in pewter ? Inform the Governor that the Valois are as good, and entitled to equal respect with the Eohans." At this the turnkey seemed astonished.. lie looked at me respectfully, and answered me by solemnly protesting that he was ignorant who I was; TJie Diamond Necklace. 289 at the same time begging my pardon. He then departed, and returned in a moment with a better dinner, served in very beautiful dishes with silver covers. After this I had no reason to complain of their inattention, as I was furnished with everything the moment it was asked for. But notwithstanding these advantages of good nourishment, I could not forget that I was a prisoner. This idea ever presented itself to my imagination, though I tried unsuccessfully a thousand projects to divert it ; but I need not insult the understanding of my English readers by any eulogium on that invaluable blessing, whose value I could only reckon by its loss. In vain did I attempt to divert my distracted ideas my brain was raging: I attempted to .write my thoughts crowded upon each other in wild incohcrency : I dropped my pen, and climbed up to the window it was all in vain. I fancied that by means of a knife I might make an opening through the floor. It- is not customary to suffer the prisoners to have knives ; but my keeper at my request lent me his, which Avas indeed a monstrous one, that might almost be called a sabre. It was quite equal in length and breadth, but stronger; and I thought it the better adapted to my purpose. I attempted by means of this knife to raise the squares from corner to corner; but in this effort I found so many obstacles that, quite out of humour, I gave up the undertaking. This would at least have tended to amuse me ; as, if I could have opened the slightest- communication below, I might have derived some advantage from conversing with the prisoner imder- neath, whom I still fancied must be the Cardinal. 290 The Diamond Necklace. About an hour every day I generally -walked upon tlie tower, attended by the Governor, who behaved very politely. Returning one day, when he was going to depart I held the first door in my hand, placed myself against him, and told him with a smile that I would not suffer him to shut that door. " Is not one door enough to be shut upon me ? " continued I. After some slight objections, he politely answered, " The ladies must be obeyed;" and from that time I had the gate within my chamber left open. Between these two doors were three steps. I now imagined that I should be able to hear everything that passed more distinctly, and imme- diately after the departure of the Governor, pro- ceeded to examine this additional extent I had ac- quired. When I had well examined the door, I tried to scrape away some pieces to make an opening, but I could discover nothing. I then laid myself down, and discovered under my door, very distinctly, the windows at the bottom of the court and my stair- case. " This," thought I, "is a great point gained." I was more pleased, easy, and composed. When I heard the turnkey or any other person upon the stairs, I ran to peep under my door, from whence I could see what passed. A day or two after this discovery, I saw my turnkey with a new prisoner. It was in the evening. I saw him very distinctly, and understood clearly, as he stopped at every step to rest himself, what he said. " This staircase is very diffi- cult to ascend," said he. This miserable creature was nearly eighty years of age. The sight of an object so decrepid and so wretched, sometimes increased tho painful sensations of my own situation by additional The Diamond Necklace. 291 reflections on the miseries of bis. This poor old creature was very asthmatic, and apparently on the point of deceiving his enemies by escaping to immor- tality ; but despotism, like death, pays no attention either to youth or age. Beauty, virtue, merit, wis- dom, are all objects of destruction, all are hurried away by its influence, all are engulphed in its vortex. The next clay, about eleven in the morning, this old prisoner was summoned to the Salle du Cornell, where he remained nearly three-quarters of an hour. As he re-ascended the staircase, I heard him utter, in feeble and piteous accents, stopping at every interval, and fetching his breath with extreme difficulty: " A week longer and I shall no more ascend these stairs : It will certainly shorten my miserable existence." He was examined in the Salle du Conseil, by M. de Crone, and had, during his continuance in the Bas- tille, such violent attacks of his disorder, that they were tinder the necessity of allowing him an invalid to be near him both day and night. During his con- finement, the Governor and officers visited him every day. His name, and the cause of his imprisonment, I was once acquainted with, but it will not perhaps be much wondered at if the multiplicity of my own sub- sequent misfortunes have erased it from my memory. In the month of September the Commissary Chenon came to my chamber with a very cheerful air, and informed me that the Cardinal at least his family desired this matter might be brought on in the par- liament; adding that the Cardinal had four advo- cates for the occasion ; " but as the Baron do Bre- teuil thinks that you have no acquaintance with any, here are the names of three," said he, showing me the 292 The Diamond Necklace. names -written at the bottom of a letter, and tlie writing, -which I knew to be the Baron de Breteuil's, at once inspired me with confidence and hope. The name of the first was M. Doillot ; the two others I cannot recollect, but they were gentlemen of considerable eminence in their profession. The Com- missary then acquainted me that he would write a circular to each of them, mentioning the names of all three in every letter, and that it was the desire of the Lieutenant of the Police that I should also write to them myself. On the 13th, at eleven in the morning, M. Doillot arrived, went to the Police, had an interview with M. de Crone, and appeared well satisfied. M. Doillot had scarcely departed, when the carriage of the Baron de Breteuil arrived. M. de Crone in- formed him that M. Doillot had been there, and was gone to see him. I learnt that the Baron de Bretenil recommended me strongly. Hostile, as I have before mentioned, to the Cardinal's interest, he seemed par- ticularly to concern himself for mine. M Doillot was presented to me by the Governor, who remained about a quarter of an hour, and then departed, leaving M. Doillot and me in conference together. M. Doillot, after having communicated to me the result of his interview with the Baron de Breteuil and M. de Crone, concluded by demanding what I had written. I communicated to M. Doillot all that I had com.' mitted to paper. He read some part of it, and ap- peared at first surprised. "Madame," said he, " this is very serious ! And yon have written one for tho Commissary, Chenon?" "Oh! no," "Madame, *Tlie Diamond Necklace. 293 you should not have given him anything. M. do Breteuil has good information ; he docs not want to be better instructed." He took down his own re- marks, and everything which he had to write the next morning, and visited me during the space of four days, after which he went into the country. A fortnight elapsed without my seeing M. Doillot. About the first week in October he returned to assure me that everything would be favourably arranged, and that all was going on as it should bo. He seemed to avoid entering into any very minute or particular detail ; and from many questions which I asked re- specting the Cardinal, I found he was enraged against him, and appeared to load him with reproaches. Upon finding that I persisted in my resolution of dis- covering the truth, he was also much displeased with me. " You will absolutely ruin yourself," he remarked. " You are but a mere worm unprotected by the Queen's support ; and if you are still so obstinately inclined towards the Cardinal, what will become of you?" "I wish to be informed," replied I, " what will be the consequence to the Cardinal." " Nothing, nothing, Madame : his family will support him ! But is it possible that you can forgive him such an accu- sation as he has made against you, that you have gone abroad with the necklace ? Oh, no, Madame ! Banish even the slightest sentiment in his favour, as baneful to your interest, as productive of yoiir destruction, and address yourself to your own preservation ! You ought to drop every recollection of him ! From the moment that he so palpably forgot himself, he has not merited any kindness from you, since he wishes to make you the victim !" 294 The Diamond Necklace, M. Doillot particularly enjoined me to be very cau- tious how I mentioned the Queen. I thought -within myself, that if it were really true that the Cardinal had positively accused me of having stolen the necklace, he was extremely culpable, for I could not lay any- thing to my own charge. I could not immediately perceive what gave M. Doillot so much disturbance. I then conjectured that the Cardinal's ruin was planned by the Baron de Breteuil : I knew that the Queen had also resolved upon his destruction, and that I was intended to be the instrument to gratify the malice of the one and the revenge of the other. I wished not to be subservient to such purposes, and I fancied that the charge which they suggested the Cardinal had made against me was intended to exas- perate me to pursue him to destruction. While M. Doillot remained with me, I heard a knocking below, and took that opportunity to repre- sent to him that if it were really true that the Cardinal had accused me, he would not converse with me so sociably as he did at that moment. I then explained to him the meaning of the knocking underneath, which I answered. He listened attentively. "Very true!" said M. Doillot; "but let us proceed further in this dumb conversation. Ask him his name!" I gave the number of knocks requisite for the question, ac- cording to the key to our correspondence, which I do not now exactly remember, though the plan was per- fectly simple, consisting only of nineteen letters of the alphabet. After pausing some time, I was greatly surprised to find that this person, whom I suspected to be the Cardinal, was the Marquis de Pelport, a relation of rny The Diamond Necklace. 295 family. Though I was particularly intimate with his relations, yet I had not seen him more than once or twice at Versailles. It was then that I believed the Cardinal was guilty of the charge which I was given to understand he had exhibited against me. M. Doillot was very well pleased with this discovery of my mistake, hoping that I should not now betray the secrets of the Queen, and that I should be point- edly inimical against the Cardinal. M. Doillot then left me, perfectly satisfied with my behaviour, and returned no more till towards the latter end of No- vember. At this visit he was very communicative, and spoke with great confidence of my success. On the fourth of November he prepared a memoir for the inspection of the public, entitled, " Memoir of Jean do St. Hemy de Valois, Countess de la Hotte, against the Cardinal de RoJian." M. Doillot came that same day this memoir was published, at eleven in the morning, and brought me one for my own perusal, at the same time apprising me that he had sent seventeen to the Baron de Breteuil, and had three hundred more ready for dispersion. After communicating this intelligence, M. Doillot took his leave, so as to give me an opportunity of perus- ing my memoir ; promising, at the same time, that he would return about six or seven in the evening. It is impossible for me to express how much I was sur- prised on glancing at this memoir. "Oh!" exclaimed I to myself, " I am ruined if I do not relate the truth !" I proceeded to examine the memoir, in the peru- sal of which I was frequently interrupted by my tears. As soon as I had finished,'! waited impatiently 296 TJic Diamond Necklace. the arrival of the two other advocates, -whom the Baron de Breteuil had appointed to exert themselves in my defence, jointly "with M. Doillot. When M. Doillot returned in the evening, I complained bitterly of the contents of the memoir, which appeared at once so complicated and impro- bable that they were scarcely entitled to credibility. I could not suppose the Cardinal would have been guilty of such meanness. M. Doillot assured me that I ought not to commit an affair of so much import- ance to other advocates, observing that there could neither be that secresy nor unanimity among three persons, so necessary for proceeding effectually, and that my defence would be much better managed by one. He entreated me to compose myself; and, to induce me to be calm, he affected to be countenanced by the Queen. I have some reason to suspect that he was certainly authorized to raise my spirits by en- couragement, and to put words into my mouth. M. Doillot, well versed in the arts of his profession, knew how to persuade. But perhaps at that period he might be himself mistaken perhaps he might have been too credulous; for M. Doillot has an established reputation, and has ever been held in the public estimation as a person of unshaken integrity, and I could never bring myself to suppose that a man nearly seventy years of age could be guilty of deceit. I chose to believe him what he always appeared, reject- ing the insinuations of many persons (which were probably to serve their own private purposes), that he was connected with the partizans of the Queen to sacrifice me. To these reports I gave no credit. If they were really well-founded, may God forgive him ! It The Diamond Necklace. 297 was no trifling gratification to the vanity of M. Doillot that these memoirs made a noise throughout all Paris, and created such disturbances that he was obliged to have the Gue at his house during the time of their distribution. To give an idea how strongly the curiosity of the public was excited in this business, it is necessary to mention that there were not less than a thousand distributed in the course of a week, and five thousand more sold by the printers for their own benefit. It is a very remarkable circumstance that there was nothing in the style or language of these memoirs that could produce so rapid a distribution, which must be attributed solely to the curiosity of the public. M. Doillot received not less than three thousand written applications for these pamphlets, a great number of which he brought to show me. This respectable gentleman was, however, frequently in danger of being assassinated, as there were often at his house persons of his acquaintance who, after hav- ing some discourse with others who were disguised, advised him to take care of himself^ as he exposed himself to great danger from having undertaken to plead my cause against the family of the Cardinal. From thence proceeded many conjectures and rumours, spread by the partizans of the house of Rohan, that he had certainly received money from the Queen, or at least that he had great expectations for being so zeal- ous. Several anonymous letters were sent to him on this occasion, many of which I have read, tending to intimidate him. One day persons in disguise informed him that he was acting contrary to the wishes of the Queen in undertaking my defence ; but M. Doillot was much better informed than to be the dupe of such an 298 The Diamond Necklace. artifice as this ; and notwithstanding every attempt to intimidate him, he proceeded in defending my cause. It was indeed not very difficult to fathom these anony- mous letters, to know the intent of the persons in dis- guise, nor the quarter from whence these efforts pro- ceeded. M. Doillot came of his own accord to visit me every day towards the end of November, and kindly endeavoured to reason down my fears, to inspire me with confidence, and to recall my wonted gaiety. I found that I was unjustly accused. I scrutinized my inmost thoughts, which told me I was innocent, while reason seemed to assure me that innocence and peace were generally companions, and in whatever happy bosom they condescended to make their abode, the gloom of despondency could not enter, and the chains of captivity would not be felt. Hail, ye bright emana- tions from heaven! celestial supporters of virtue! Sustained by you, the expanding soul bursts forth, wanders at large beyond the puny efforts of tyranny to confine it, derides oppression, and disdains the chain ! The horrors of my situation began now rapidly to decrease. I sang as though I had been at large in my own house, substituting this simple amusement for conversation with the Marquis de Pelport. In this mansion of the Bastille I frequently conversed with M. Doillot upon the blessings enjoyed by the English nation. How much did I envy the liberty of the inhabitants of that happy country, where I can now speak the truth without the danger of being molested! How much does the reflection comfort nay heart that I am now in a kingdom whose equal laws protect the weak from the oppression of the powerful where tho peasant can have redress against the The Diamond Necklace. 299 injuries of the peer where the accused is not con- demned unheard, and where he can meet his accusers face to face, and their allegations are weighed in the impartial balance of justice. I have before said that I had again assumed my wonted gaiety. Alas! there was a shock which I received from afar, and which I thought I should not so suddenly have received a shock which was moro difficult to sustain than every other. Misfortunes seldom come alone the history of human nature proves it iii almost every page. Being possessed of my brother's letter-of-attorney, to whom I had sent frequent remittances, but through negligence had not for some time received the pay- ments from the Treasury, three or four years' pension became due about this period, when, wishing to make some little payments, I authorized my advocate to re- ceive some money for me at the Royal Treasury. M. Minguet, my notary, perfectly confiding in the secu- rity of my brother's brevet, brought it me himself. One morning, a little out of humour with M. Doillot, who was continually ringing in my ears demands for money, I could not help reprimanding him for neglect- ing to receive it at the Treasury, as I had desired. He pleaded multiplicity of business in extenuation of this omission. This answer appeared very singular, and I could scarcely believe him serious. "M. Doil- lot," said I, observing him with an eye of eager attention, and a countenance of disguised suspense, "is my brother dead ?" He said "No;" but so mysteriously that it alarmed my apprehensions. I determined, if possible, to know the worst : and the better to engage M. Doillot to admit the truth, I as- 300 The Diamond Necklace. sumed an appearance of calmness and resignation, spoke of the mortality of human nature, and told him that whatever might be my fate, I would submit with patient resignation to theafflicting dispensations of an unerring Providence. " I will," continued I, "summon up all my resolution to sustain those misfor- tunes which I cannot avoid." M. Doillot, believing me tolerably reconciled, at length informed me that my brother was dead. " He died," continued he, " at Salani, in the East Indies, where he was buried previous to the sailing of his frigate." The Marshal de Castries, whom I had seen in the month of July, informed me of his safe arrival, but could not exactly ascertain the time. This was the crisis when I thought I should have had the firmness to stifle in resignation the rising throb of severe dis- tress ; this was the moment when I fancied myself steeled with fortitude. If I have formerly been reproved for too much sensibility, and nerves too finely strung to bear even the slightest accent of reproof, picture to yourselves, ye sympathetic souls, if it is in the pOAver of imagina- tion to conceive without the melancholy experience of the event, what was the state of my distracted mind, when M. Doillot informed me of my brother's death ! This was a most afflicting stroke. My father, sister, mother, all taken away ; my brother was my only friend, the prop of my declining hopes, the ornament, the defender of his country ; but perhaps he was prematurely called up to heaven, in an act of mercy, that he might not partake the insults offered to his family ; that he might not be The Diamond Necklace. 361 a witness to the injuries heaped upon his miserable gister. I strove, as much as possible, to conceal my emo- tions before M. Doillot, lest, at some future time, he might conceal from me circumstances with which I ought to be acquainted, in compassion to my sensi- bility. Yet did I find it very difficult to suppress those sensations which appeared strongly, even in my efforts to vanquish them, and to which I so anxiously wished to give vent. As soon as M. Doillot quitted me, I remained in a very pensive situation, combating a multitude of the most gloomy ideas, which presented themselves in quick and painful succession. The death of my brother weighed down my heart; I walked hastily across my chamber, making every effort to drive from my thoughts ideas so intensely distressing. "Is he then dead?" said I to myself. " And will he never return ? Alas ! no ! "Well, then, let me be resolute ; let me summon up all my resolution, and I have need of much to bear up against the power of my accusers, lest the grief of my heart should deprive me of the ability of making my defence, and my enemies should triumph in that stupor of grief, which, by prevent- ing me from substantiating my innocence, will ex- aggerate my supposed criminality. This thought roused me. I fancied myself to be more tranquil, and strove to dissipate my troubled thoughts by writing ; when the Marquis de Pelport gave a knock, which commenced a conversation, to which I answered, and communicated my grief. He was sorry that M. Doillot had told me the circumstance, and assured me that he was acquainted with it some 20 3O2 The Diamond Necklace. time ago ; but that lie highly disapproved of tho conduct of M. Doillot, in not concealing it from me. I laid myself down about eleven o'clock, as I thought sufficiently calm ; but about three or four in the morning I was seized with a violent convulsion, and in the ravings of delirium, upset a largo table, which was standing by niy bedside, with all its contents. The noise alarmed the Marquis de Pelport, who knocked violently, to know what was the matter. This knocking awakened the turnkey, who ran directly to his room. The Marquis communicated what he had heard above, upon which the turnkey came up. On opening the door, and seeing my situa- tion, he ran away, terrified almost out of his senses, and called one of the invalids, whom he despatched instantly to wake the surgeon and the King's Lieutenant, who, upon their arrival, found me replaced in my bed, trembling under the agitation of a violent convulsion, which going off, the tears rolled down my cheeks in great abundance. " Oh, my dear brother ! " exclaimed I. " Oh, pillar of my hopes ! and art thou indeed dead? And shall thy affectionate sister behold thee no more ? " After these words, intermixed with tears and heavy sobs, the Surgeon gave me some anodyne medicine, which tended a little to assuage the agitation of my mind, and so composed me that I fell into a slumber. The turnkey and an invalid remained with me, whom I was not a little surprised at seeing in my chamber when I awoke, which was about seven in the morning. They told me everything that had passed during the night, of which I had but a very imperfect recollection. About ten the surgeon, attended by the Governor The Diamond Necklace. 303 and the other officers, came to pay me a visit. I sustained their presence very well, and listened to everything that they had to say to me without finding myself much affected ; but I was so much fatigued and bruised from having bent myself so violently, that I was incapable of raising myself in bed. They bled me twice, which in some measure alleviated the vio- lence of my disorder ; but I have at this day pains in my head, derived from this severe affection. Since this attack, I have grown familiar with reflec- tions on death. I have contemplated it so often that it appears to me only dreadful at a distance ; every day of its approach it loses its horrors. I have reasoned myself into that firmness, that I stand on the precipice of dissolution : I look up, and my eyes do not ache; I look down, and my heart does not tremble. I have read authors who assert that cou- rage is in men the characteristic of the male sex ; they have expatiated on this virtue as characteristic of magnanimity ; I have considered it a desirable qua- lification, which, though a female, I have endeavoured to attain. That brother whose death I so deeply mourned possessed it eminently; and that courage which he manifested in the hour of danger, I wished might be also inherent in me. Since this era I made it my constant study to acquire sufficient intrepidity to encounter, and resolution enough to sustain, all those miseries to which human nature is subject, of which more than a common share has fallen to my lot. Three or four days after my illness, M. Doillot ar- rived. He found me up, and apparently in much better spirits than, he expected. He had indeed been 304 T1t Diamond Necklace. reproved by the Governor for his indiscretion in making that communication which had so deeply affected me; but he was pleased at finding me in such spirits. It is indeed true that these spirits were forced, and that I affected to be more cheerful than 1 really was, to make M. Doillot more easy and less apprehensive of a repetition of those censures from the Governor which he had before received for what was considered his imprudent communication. Ho then informed me that fear and compunction for what he had done, and the apprehension of becoming the object of public censure from his conduct being submitted through the medium of my memoir to public inspection, had so affected the Commissary Chenon, that he was at that time at Charenton, at the house of Lcs Peres de la Charite (a private mad- house). Although not naturally vindictive, I was nevertheless not very uneasy to learn this news, which gave me a greater degree of resolution to hear the rest. I suspend for an instant the narrative of my more immediate concerns to say a few words respecting my sister, who was no sooner apprized by public report of my confinement in the Bastille, than she imme- diately went in the greatest anxiety in quest of the Baron de Breteuil, whom she had formerly, at the Hotel de Boulainvilliers, persuaded herself was warmly my friend. The Baron de Breteuil was not a little surprised at seeing my sister, which was at the Louvre one day when there was a public audience, as he could not foresee the reason of her visit. She very prudently only desired to speak two words to him. "I am The Diamond Necklace. 305 Mademoiselle Valois," said she, in a very low whisper, in the presence of M. de Chauspiere, an advocate. " I am. sorry, Madame ; but really I can do nothing for her. You should apply to M. the Count de Vergennes. I wish to avoid as much as possible that the family of Rohan should have it in their power to say that I am the enemy of the Car- dinal or the friend of your sister; otherwise I am sufficiently disposed. Apply to the Count de Ver- gennes it is he who has the sole management of this affair." My sister, disheartened by this reception, shed tears and departed, determined to take the earliest opportunity of making application to the Count de Vergennes. She wrote to him at Versailles, but re- ceived no answer. She determined to go herself on the next day of public audience. She approached the Minister, and made her request. " Madame," re- plied he, "your sister is peculiarly fortunate. Nothing at all will be wanting her affairs are in very good hands." " Sir," replied my sister, "the Cardinal is allowed to see all his family and his friends : my sister has no relation but me. I entreat you, then, to grant me permission to visit her. M. de Launay, Governor of the Bastille, whom I have waited upon in expectation of seeing my sister, has informed me that he has no power without an order from the Minister." '"Tis very true, Madame," replied tte Count de Vergennes ; " but, Madame, I am sorry that I can do nothing myself. Have you no friend near the King who has sufficient influence to procure this indulgence from his Majesty ? for it is the King him- self who has granted tnis permission to the Cardinal's 306 The Diamond Necklace family and his friends to visit him." From this an swer my poor sister, perplexed in the extreme at being thus disappointed, went to seek M. Doillot, to whom she related the difficulties she had met with and her despair of removing them ; and since she could not obtain permission to visit me in the Bastille, she re- quested his opinion whether he thought it practicable to see me upon the tower ? M. Doillot answered in the affirmative. In consequence of this my sister determined to see me in the best manner she could, and to station herself on one of the highest eminences of the Boulevards. T\[. Doillot came the day preceding to inform me of the day and the hour. The next day, at one, was tho time appointed. I communicated to the King's new Lieutenant, Du Puget, that I had made choice of that hour for my walk upon the tower, well knowing that all the officers would at that hour be engaged in bu- siness. I therefore walked about, only accompanied by an invalid, in whom the Governor placed great confidence. I had scarcely taken a turn upon the tower when I perceived my sister, accompanied by two gentlemen and a lady ; one was the Viscount de Barrass, nephew of the Count de Barrass, a particular friend of my brother's, on account of whose friendship the Viscount paid his addresses to my sister, and would probably have married her, had not my apprehension prevented the nuptials ; the others were the Abbe de Paff, and a lady. These friends waved their hand- kerchiefs as a signal, which I observing, did the same, but without stopping ; and I waved my handkerchief behind the invalid, to prevent his perceiving me, who either did not or feigned not to see me, lest he should The Diamond Necklace. 307 be severely reprimanded. It was also contrary to the ordinances of the Bastille to stop near the parapet, ex- cept in the presence of the Governor and the other officers ; but in the little cabinet opposite the coffee- house which fonned the angle of the Boulevards every prisoner may, if he prefers rest to "walking, continue all the time allowed him for recreation. I, however, employed my whole hour in walking, and a quarter of an hour more to rest in this cabinet, to send a kiss to my sister and salute her company, when I had done which I immediately retired without the least agitation, pleased with having seen my sister. The pleasure I experienced in having seen her was quite sufficient. I was already a philosopher, but it was different with her. The moment after I disappeared, she was taken suddenly ill in the middle of the Boulevards, and conducted by the company and many of the spectators, who kindly interested themselves in her distress, to a coffee-house, to procure her some assistance. This incident, which soon became public, at length reached the ears of the Governor de Launay, who strictly questioned my conductor, but he answered very satisfactorily that he had seen nothing, that he had perceived nothing of the kind, and the Governor said nothing more about it. M. Doillot informed me at the next visit that my sister was somewhat better, but that she would never again be tempted to see me in that manner. The dear creature, as M. Doillot in- formed me, was a spectacle of grief since my im- prisonment so changed as scarcely to be known, and she had but too much reason to tremble for my fate. She judged that, from several circumstances the 308 The Diamond Necklace. favour shown to tlie Cardinal, by permission being granted to his friends to visit him from that privilege being denied to her from the neutrality of the Baron de Breteuil from all these reasons combined she judged, and with truth, which weight would incline the balance. She had sufficient presentiment of the event from having been refused admission to see me by the minister, when she knew that all Paris rang with the number of visitors which the Cardinal re- ceived in prison ; while I, unfortunate, friendless, and unprotected, was denied even the privilege of seeing my own sister, and doomed to pine in solitary silence and to read the horrors of the future in the page of my present misery. It may easily be imagined what little comfort a per- son in such a situation, suspected of a crime the very idea of which makes her start with horror, could have had when left to herself in solitary bondage. Such a situation might weigh down even the greater forti- tude of the other sex. I should have been depressed, even to the grave, had I been really guilty of the crime laid to my charge ; but the fullest conviction of my integrity, and a confidence in His arm who defends the innocent and succours the oppressed, alone sus- tained me amidst the present and the melancholy anticipation of future miseries, while a cheerful ac- quiescence to the will of Heaven illumined my coun- tenance with a smile, even in the devouring jaws of the Bastille. There were moments when I thought everything would terminate successfully, and when, through the medium of hope, the future appeared a pleasing pros- pect. " The Cardinal," said I, to myself, " from the The Diamond Necklace. 309 influence of his family, will be soon set at liberty, and I shall owe my deliverance to her Majesty's generosity, who will suspend all further process." Thus calmly did I sometimes reason on what was reputed to be our common crime. At some moments I had such a flow of spirits that I frequently amused myself with singing a number of songs as they succeeded one another in my mind, blending them all together without any attention to regularity. Many of the invalids who heard me reported to the Governor that a lady in the third comptee sang at least sixty different songs and airs every day, and that she got up to the window, where they saw her very plainly. The Governor, upon this intelligence, ordered them to come and listen to what I sang ; he also stationed another person to listen attentively to the words of my songs. I was aware of my spy, though he spoke very low. I redoubled my efforts, and sang this pas- sage from Richard Cceur de Lion " Oh, Richard! oh, mon Hoi!" substituting instead of the name Richard that of Valois, " by all the world forsaken !" I took occasion in the course of my song to introduce the name of the Governor, and finished with a loud laugh. The poor Marquis de Pelport, who saw our spy, dared not utter a word ; but I, not at all alarmed at the spy, nor having the least fear of the Governor, continued my song. At eight the same evening the Governor came to Bee me. "Oh, oh!" said I to him, gaily, "you are very obliging to make me a visit. You wish, then, to gain the good- mil of the prisoners by coming to see them?" He smiled. " But you are a singer," said he. " I The Diamond Necklace. am very sorry to have interrupted you." And thia Governor, so very rigid and austere, who had pro- hibited singing in the Bastille, entreated me to do him the favour to sing a song. I at first hesitated, but after some little consideration began to sing, and, that I might be heard throughout the Bastille, I sang a brisk tune. As soon as I had finished, I said, in a rallying tone, " Very well, Governor, you have not behaved with the greatest consistency in sending my turnkey, St. Jean, to desire me not to sing, because it is contrary to the rules of the Bastille, when I can actually say that I have authority to sing even from the Governor himself!" I then informed him what I heard, calling him a spy. Though this was all spoken in a jocular manner, he made no reply, which indeed I did not regret ; for underneath this disguise of ex- terior affability there was much latent falsehood, of which I had but too much reason to complain. From this epoch he has fulfilled the measure of his malevolence against me ; but this I cease to mention : otherwise I could not only state the times, but the occasions. This same person visited me every even- ing, and passed an hour or two with me, which was constantly occupied in trifling chit-chat ; for it is not a little singular that, during the six months I was in the Bastille, neither the Governor nor any other person ever said a word relative to my affairs, nor ever spoke of the Cardinal, except once, when he mentioned that he walked every day in his garden, "dbout eleven o'clock, and that he passed upon his rounds under my window, accompanied by the Princo de Montbasson and his brother. " They stopped directly opposite to your tower," said he, "on hear- The Diamond Necklace. 311 ing you sing ; in consequence of which I beg that you will not sing at that time again." I promised to obey this injunction, though my curiosity was strongly excited by the manner in which I saw the Cardinal, who constantly fixed his eyes on the window of my prison, and appeared anxious to see me : he also spoke in an elevated tone, with a view doubtless that I might clearly understand him. A few days subsequent to this interview with the Governor, the Lieutenant came to my apartment, and conducted me to the same hall where I had been first examined. I cannot say I felt myself much agitated on this examination, which might be deemed a private one compared to those which followed. On my arrival I received the decrets from the hands of two gressiers, one of whom, named M. Fremyn, I shall have occasion frequently to mention, as a person strongly prejudiced in favour of the Cardinal ; and though my inveterate enemy, yet assuming the specious disguise of affability and concern for my interest, which made him more dangerous, as having greater power to deceive. The business being finished, and the decrets delivered, after a few com- plimentary expressions, I was again conducted to my apartment, and secured within those many bars, the dreadful emblems of tyranny and oppression. I was here, indeed, shut up from all communication with the world, and denied the privilege of even speak- ing to my sister my sister-in-law being confined in the Bastille six months for only attempting to see me. With an imagination naturally active and energetic qualities, alas ! fatal to its own repose to what could I have recourse for amusement ? I sometimes 312 The Diamond Necklace. had recourse to the ingenious expedient which ne- cessity had taught me, of holding conversation with the Marquis de Pelport ; devoted some hours to con- templation ; and the remaining time was occupied in addressing fervent supplications to that heavenly throne which yet regards the cries an earthly tribunal may have thought proper to reject. The loss of my brother, joined to my own unhappy situation, had weaned me from every hope of happi- ness on earth. My attachment for worldly comforts being destroyed, the native energy of my mind sought to fix itself on that rock where it could view the storms of oppression unheeded beneath. But alas ! such is the frailty of human nature, such was sometimes my despondency, that notwithstanding my reliance on the Omnipotent Being whose power is over all, I blush to confess there were moments when my heart failed me, " when my soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death ; " there were moments when, to use the expression of the Psalmist, " I com- muned with myself, and was silent." THB ULLISG AND SONS, PRINTERS, OUILDFOKD, WARD, LOCK & CO.'S LIST OF SELECT NOVELS Bj ANTHONY TEOLLOPE, CHARLES LEVEE, HENEY KINGSLEY, WHYTE-MELVILLE, HAEEISON AINSWOETH, HAWLEY SMAET. 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