CHAPTER IV.

THE QUEEN'S NECKLACE.


Directly after a page, arrayed in the attire of a miller's boy, had
announced the Baron de Breteuil, the king with drew into his chamber
and resumed his own proper clothing. He drew on the long, gray coat,
the short trousers of black velvet, the long, gold embroidered
waistcoat of gray satin; and over this the bright, thin ribbon of
the Order of Louis-the attire in which the king was accustomed to
present himself on gala-days.

With troubled, disturbed countenance, he then entered the little
apartment where his chief minister, the Baron de Breteuil, was
awaiting him.

"Tell me quickly," ejaculated the king, "do you bring bad news? Has
any thing unexpected occurred?"

"Sire," answered the minister, respectfully, "something unexpected
at all events, but whether something bad will be learned after
further investigation."

"Investigation!" cried the king. "Then do you speak of a crime?"

"Yes, sire, of a crime-the crime of a base deception, and, as it
seems, of a defalcation involving immense sums and objects of great