“Yes, madame, I have gained you 500,000 francs.”
“M. de Calonne has kept his word,” thought the queen.
“Only imagine, madame,” continued the king; “M. de Calonne had put down 500,000 francs for you, and I have struck it out,—a clear gain, therefore, of that sum.”
“Struck it through!” cried the queen, turning pale; “but, sire——”
“Oh! I am so hungry, I am going to supper;” and he went away delighted with his work.
“Brother,” said the queen, “seek M. de Calonne for me.”
At that moment a note from him was handed to her: “Your majesty will have learned that the king refused your grant. It was incomprehensible, and I retired from the council penetrated with grief.”
“Read,” said she, passing the note to the count.
“And there are people,” said he, “who say that we squander the revenue! This is an extraordinary proceeding——”
“Quite husbandlike,” said the queen. “Adieu, brother.”