Madame de Belliere's Plate.
The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.Treason, then -- deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest -- such were Colbert's maneuvers.A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself -- such were the weapons Marguerite employed.The crooked atoms of Descartes triumphed; to the man without compassion was united a woman without heart.The marquise perceived, with sorrow rather than indignation, that the king was an accomplice in the plot which betrayed the duplicity of Louis XIII.in his advanced age, and the avarice of Mazarin at a period of life when he had not had the opportunity of gorging himself with French gold.The spirit of thus courageous woman soon resumed its energy, no longer overwhelmed by indulgence in compassionate lamentations.The marquise was not one to weep when action was necessary, nor to waste time in bewailing a misfortune as long as means still existed of relieving it.For some minutes she buried her face in her cold fingers, and then, raising her head, rang for her attendants with a steady hand, and with a gesture betraying a fixed determination of purpose.Her resolution was taken.
"Is everything prepared for my departure?" she inquired of one of her female attendants who entered.
"Yes, madame; but it was not expected that your ladyship would leave for Belliere for the next few days.""All my jewels and articles of value, then, are packed up?""Yes, madame; but hitherto we have been in the habit of leaving them in Paris.Your ladyship does not generally take your jewels with you into the country.""But they are all in order, you say?"
"Yes, in your ladyship's own room."
"The gold plate?"
"In the chest."
"And the silver plate?"
"In the great oak closet."
The marquise remained silent for a few moments, and then said calmly, "Let my goldsmith be sent for."Her attendants quitted the room to execute the order.The marquise, however, had entered her own room, and was inspecting her casket of jewels with the greatest attention.
Never, until now, had she bestowed such close attention upon riches in which women take so much pride; never, until now, had she looked at her jewels except for the purpose of making a selection, according to their settings or their colors.On this occasion, however, she admired the size of the rubies and the brilliancy of the diamonds; she grieved over every blemish and every defect; she thought the gold light, and the stones wretched.The goldsmith, as he entered, found her thus occupied."M.Faucheux " she said, "I believe you supplied me with my gold service?""I did, your ladyship."
"I do not now remember the amount of the account.""Of the new service, madame, or of that which M.de Belliere presented to you on your marriage? for I have furnished both.""First of all, the new one."
"The covers, the goblets, and the dishes, with their covers, the eau-epergne, the ice-pails, the dishes for the preserves, and the tea and coffee urns, cost your ladyship sixty thousand francs.""No more?"
"Your ladyship thought the account very high.""Yes, yes; I remember, in fact, that it was dear; but it was the workmanship, I suppose?""Yes, madame; the designs, the chasings -- all new patterns.""What proportion of the cost does the workmanship form? Do not hesitate to tell me.""A third of its value, madame."
"There is the other service, the old one, that which belonged to my husband?""Yes, madame; there is less workmanship in that than in the other.Its intrinsic value does not exceed thirty thousand francs.""Thirty thousand," murmured the marquise."But, M.Faucheux, there is also the service which belonged to my mother; all that massive plate which I did not wish to part with, on account of the associations connected with it.""Ah! madame, that would indeed be an excellent resource for those who, unlike your ladyship, might not be in a position to keep their plate.In chasing that they worked in solid metal.But that service is no longer in fashion.Its weight is its only advantage.""That is all I care about.How much does it weigh?""Fifty thousand livres at the very least.I do not allude to the enormous vases for the buffet, which alone weigh five thousand livres, or ten thousand the pair.""One hundred and thirty," murmured the marquise."You are quite sure of your figures, M.Faucheux?""Positive, madame.Besides, there is no difficulty in weighing them.""The amount is entered in my books."
"Your ladyship is extremely methodical, I am aware.""Let us now turn to another subject," said Madame de, Belliere; and she opened one of her jewel-boxes.
"I recognize these emeralds," said M.Faucheux; "for it was I who had the setting of them.They are the most beautiful in the whole court.No, I am mistaken; Madame de Chatillon has the most beautiful set; she had them from Messieurs de Guise; but your set madame, comes next.""What are they worth?"
"Mounted?"
"No; supposing I wished to sell them."
"I know very well who would buy them," exclaimed M.
Faucheux.
