her your promise to his Majesty, when last he paid your debts."
"Can't the people wait?" asked Philip.
"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 per cent, 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.
