“Faith, my lord, it is very necessary for me to make my fortune, your eminence has so long forgotten me.”
“We need only a week to amend all that. Come, you are accounted for, you are here, but where are your friends?”
“I do not know, my lord. We have parted company this long time; all three have left the service.”
“Where can you find them, then?”
“Wherever they are, that’s my business.”
“Well, now, what are your conditions, if I employ you?”
“Money, my lord, as much money as what you wish me to undertake will require. I remember too well how sometimes we were stopped for want of money, and but for that diamond, which I was obliged to sell, we should have remained on the road.”
“The devil he does! Money! and a large sum!” said Mazarin. “Pray, are you aware that the king has no money in his treasury?”
“Do then as I did, my lord. Sell the crown diamonds. Trust me, don’t let us try to do things cheaply. Great undertakings come poorly off with paltry means.”
“Well,” returned Mazarin, “we will satisfy you.”