“No more than the Brothers, goldsmiths, who demand their seventy-five thousand dollars.”

“It is all one to me.  If the people won’t wait for their money, I must—­”

“No hasty resolution, my gracious Lord!  I have it in my power to make everything comfortable, if—­”

“Well, if what?”

“If you will honor me by listening to me one moment.  I hope to have no difficulty in redeeming all your debts.  The house of Abraham Levi has bought up immense quantities of corn, so that the price is very much raised.  A decree against importation will raise it three or four percent. higher.  By giving Abraham Levi the monopoly, the business will be arranged.  The house erases your debt, and pays off your seventy-five thousand dollars to the goldsmiths, and I give you over the receipts.  But everything depends on my continuing for another year at the head of the Finance.  If Baron Griefensack succeeds in ejecting me from the Ministry, I shall be unable to serve your Royal Highness as I could wish.  If your Highness will leave the party of Griefensack, our point is gained.  For me, it is a matter of perfect indifference whether I remain in office or not.  I sigh for repose.  But for your Royal Highness, it is a matter of great moment.  If I have not the mixing of the pack, I lose the game.”

Philip for some time did not know what answer to make.  At last, while the Finance Minister, in expectation of his reply, took a pinch out of his snuff-box set with jewels, Philip said: 

“If I rightly understand you, Sir Count, you would starve the country a little, in order to pay my debts.  Consider, sir, what misery you will cause.  And will the King consent to it?”

“If I remain in office I will answer for that, my gracious Lord!  When the price of corn rises, the King will, of course, think of permitting importation, and prevent exportation by levying heavy imposts.  The permission to do so is given to the house of Abraham Levi, and they export as much as they choose.  But, as I said before, if Griefensack gets the helm, nothing can be done.  For the first year he would be obliged to attend strictly to his duty, in order to be able afterwards to feather his nest at the expense of the country.  He must first make sure of his ground.  He is dreadfully grasping!”

“A pretty project,” answered Philip; “and how long do you think a finance minister must be in office before he can lay his shears on the flock to get wool enough for himself and me?”

“Oh, if he has his wits about him, he may manage it in a year.”

“Then the King ought to be counselled to change his finance minister every twelve months, if he wishes to be faithfully and honorably served.”

“I hope, your Royal Highness, that since I have had the Exchequer, the King and Court have been faithfully served?”

“I believe you, Count, and the poor people believe you still more.  Already they scarcely know how to pay their rates and taxes.  You should treat us with a little more consideration, Count.”