"Will the queen pass that way when she comes?"

"No, your majesty, she is accustomed to take the same way which your
majesty took, through the antechamber."

"Good. Then, baron, go into the little saloon. Leave the door open,
and do you, Campan, loosen the curtains and let them fall over the
door, that the minister may hear without being seen."

A quarter of an hour had scarcely elapsed when the queen entered the
toilet-chamber, with glowing cheeks, and under visible excitement.
The king went hastily to her, took her hand and pressed it to his
lips.

"Forgiveness, Marie, that I have disturbed you in the midst of your
pleasures."

"Tell me, quickly," cried the queen, impatiently. "What is it? Is it
a great misfortune?"

"No, Marie, but a great annoyance, which is so far a misfortune in
that the name of your majesty is involved in a disagreeable and
absurd plot. The court jeweller, Bohmer, asserts that he has sold a
necklace to your majesty for one million eight hundred thousand
francs."

"But the man is crazy," cried the queen. "Is that all your majesty
had to say to me?"

"I beg that Campan will repeat the conversation which she had