“Ah, bah!” broke in Fraslin the Jew.  “Why believe such babblings?  We all know that the diamond is a product not of the vegetable but of the mineral world!”

“So have we known many things,” stoutly replied Varenne, “only to find ourselves frequently mistaken.  Now for my part, a diamond is a diamond, be it born in a flower or broken from a rock.  And as for the excellence of these stones, ’tis rumored that the lady hath abundant proof.  ’Tis no wonder that the natives of the valley of the Messasebe robe themselves in silks, and that they deck themselves carelessly with precious stones, as would a peasant of ours with a chain of daisy blossoms.  Now, if there be such wealth as this, is it not easy to see the profit of a bank which controls the trade with such a province?  True, there have been some discoveries in this valley, but nothing thorough.  ’Tis but recent the thing hath been done thorough.”

The Prince de Conti sat back in his chair and drew a long breath.  “If these things be true,” said he, “then this Monsieur L’as is not so bad a leader to follow.”

“But listen!” exclaimed Varenne once more.  “I have not even yet told you the most important thing, and this is rumor which perhaps your Grace has caught.  ’Tis whispered that the bank of the brothers L’as is within a fortnight to be changed.”

“What is that?” queried Fraslin quickly. “’Tis not to be abandoned?”

“By no means.  Abandoned would be quite the improper word.  ’Tis to be improved, expanded, increased, magnified!  My Lords, there is the opportunity of a life-time for every one of us here!”

“Say on, man, say on!” commanded the prince, the covetousness of his soul shining in his eyes as he leaned forward.

“I mean to say this,” and the spy lowered his voice as he looked anxiously about.  “The regent hath taken a fancy to be chief owner himself of an enterprise so profitable.  In fine, the Banque Generale is to become the Banque Royale.  His Majesty of France, represented by his Grace the regent, is to become the head banker of France and Europe!  Monsieur L’as is to be retained as director-general of this Banque Royale.  There are to be branches fixed in different cities of the realm, at Lyons, at Tours, at Amiens, at Rochelle, at Orleans—­in fact, all France is to go upon a different footing.”

The glances of the Prince de Conti and the Austrian met each other.  The Jew drew a long breath as he sat back in his chair, his hands grasping at the edge of the table.  Try as he might, he scarce could keep his chin from trembling.  He licked out his tongue to moisten his lips.