Diamond Necklace

The, a famous piece of jewelry, made in Paris about 1775, and intended for Madame Dubarry, the favorite of Louis XV. She, however, was excluded from court on the death of Louis before the necklace was finished. After being made it was found to be so costly that no one could purchase it. It was valued at about $400,000. The Prince Cardinal de Rohan persuaded by an adventure named De Lamotte that the queen (Marie Antoinette) regarded him with favor, became completely infatuated with the idea. One night in August, 1784, he had the happine of a moment’s interview with the queen in the person of a girl who closely resembled her. De Lamotte had stated to the cardinal that the queen was desirous of obtaining this glorious necklace, and that not having sufficient money just then, she would sign an agreement to purchase it if the cardinal would become security. The cardinal consented. The agreement was approved and signed with the royal signature, also with that of the cardinal, who carried the treasure to Versailles, where it had been agreed the queen should send for it. In a few days De Lamotte and her husband were busily engaged in selling the separate diamonds in the necklace. In a few months the cardinal! found himself in the Bastille, where some pf those by whom he had been duped already had been lodged. In May, 1786, the trial of the prisoners was brought to a close. De Lamotte was branded on each shoulder with the letter V (for voleuse, “ thief”), and was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. Her husband, who had fied to England, was sentenced to the galleys for life. The cardinal and the girl who had personated the queen were jismi ed without punishment. The queen was supposed by the populace to have shared in the plot, and its podium was heaped on her, as she was taken to the guillotine.