“Exactly,” said Manoël; “and the ambassador who arrives may desire to buy this necklace for the Queen of Portugal, and treat accordingly with MM. Bœhmer and Bossange; that is all.”
“But,” said the banker, “they would not allow such a necklace to pass into the hands of M. de Souza himself without good security.”
“Oh, I have thought of all that; the ambassador’s house is vacant, with the exception of the chancellor, who is a Frenchman, and speaks bad Portuguese, and who is therefore delighted when the Portuguese speak French to him, as he does not then betray himself; but who likes to speak Portuguese to the French, as it sounds grand. Well, we will present ourselves to this chancellor with all the appearances of a new legation.”
“Appearances are something,” said Beausire: “but the credentials are much more.”
“We will have them,” replied Manoël.
“No one can deny that Don Manoël is an invaluable man,” said Beausire.
“Well, our appearances, and the credentials having convinced the chancellor of our identity, we will establish ourselves at the house.”
“That is pretty bold,” said Beausire.
“It is necessary, and quite easy,” said Manoël; “the chancellor will be convinced, and if he should afterwards become less credulous, we will dismiss him. I believe an ambassador has the right to change his chancellor.”
“Certainly.”