“But allow me, madame, to return to what you want of me,” said the minister.
“Would it be possible to have at present—I am afraid it is too much——”
Calonne smiled in an encouraging manner.
“500,000 francs?” continued the queen.
“Oh, madame, really your majesty frightened me; I was afraid it was something great.”
“Then you can?”
“Assuredly.”
“Without the king’s knowledge?”
“Oh, madame, that is impossible. Every month all my accounts are laid before the king; however, he does not always read them.”
“When can I have it?”