"My account of the lady who despised King Charles's love gave Monsieur le Grand a new idea, and suggested a method of purchasing Dunkirk which he hopes will save the heavy cost of bidding against the citizens of London. I had no hint of what he intended till one day he took me to his closet and began to question me.
"'Do you possess the love of the lady who despises King Charles?' he asked.
"'I do, your Majesty,' I answered.
"'Do you know you possess it?' he asked.
"'As well as a man who is not a king may know,' I returned.
"'Tush, tush! Kings are no more certain than other men.'
"'I know I possess this woman's love,' I said.
"'Would she be willing to make a great sacrifice to help you?'
"'Anything that I should ask,' I replied.
"'Ah, I see, I see! Should ask? I take it there are certain sacrifices you would not ask,' returned the king. 'We here in France would say that your position was Quixotic. However, your King Charles is a weak fool, easily imposed upon. Is the lady quick and resourceful in expedients, calm and thoughtful in emergencies, and silent on great occasions?'