The cardinal reflected for a moment. “Then, sir, let us suppose that the queen wishes for your necklace.”
“Oh! in that case, monseigneur, we would break through anything, that she should have it.”
“What is the price?”
“1,500,000 francs.”
“How do you want payment?”
“The Portuguese was to give 100,000 francs down, and I was to take the necklace myself to Lisbon, where the balance was to be paid.”
“Well, the 100,000 francs down you shall have; that is reasonable. As for the rest——”
“Your eminence wishes for time? With such a guarantee, we should not object; only credit implies a loss. The interest of our money must be considered.”
“Well, call it 1,600,000 francs, and divide the time of payment into three periods, making a year.”
“That would be a loss to us, sir.”