"Money. I believe that you are not furnished with an over-supply."
"On the contrary, madame, on the contrary," said Charles IX., "I have fourteen hundred thousand crowns in the Bastille; my private estates have yielded me during the last few days eight hundred thousand crowns, which I have put in my cellar in the Louvre, and in case of need Nantouillet holds three hundred thousand crowns at my disposal."
Catharine shivered. Until then she had known Charles to be violent and passionate, but never provident.
"Well," said she, "your Majesty thinks of everything. That is fine; and provided the tailors, the embroiderers, and the jewellers make haste, your Majesty will be in a position to hold this audience within six weeks."
"Six weeks!" exclaimed Charles. "Mother, the tailors, the embroiderers, and the jewellers have been at work ever since we heard of my brother's nomination. As a matter of fact, everything could be ready to-day, but, at the latest, it will take only three or four days."
"Oh!" murmured Catharine; "you are in greater haste than I supposed, my son."
"Honor for honor, I told you."
"Well, is it this honor done to the house of France which flatters you?"
"Certainly."
"And is your chief desire to see a son of France on the throne of Poland?"