"Louis would hear naught of me, of course. Maintenon took care that he should find I was but heretic."
"As for myself," said Philippe the regent, "heretic or not heretic makes but small figure. 'Twill take France a century to overcome her late surfeit of religion. For us, 'tis most a question of how to keep the king in the saddle and France underneath."
"Precisely, your Grace."
"Frankly, Monsieur L'as, I take it fittest now not so much to ponder over new worlds as over how to keep in touch with this Old World yet awhile. France has danced, though for years she danced to the tune of Louis clad in black. Now France must pay for the music. My faith, I like not the look of things. This joyful France to-day is a hideous thing. These people laugh! I had sooner see a lion grin. Now to govern those given us by Providence to govern," and the regent smiled grimly at the ancient fiction, "it is most meet that the governed should produce somewhat of funds in order that they may be governed."
"Yes, and the error has been in going too far," said Law. "These people have been taxed beyond the taxation point. Now they laugh."
"Yes; and by God, Monsieur L'as, when France laughs, beware!"
"Your Grace admits that France has no further resources."
"Assuredly."
"Then tax New France!" cried Law, his hand coming down hard upon the table, his eyes shining. "Mortgage where the security doubles every year, where the soil itself is security for wealth greater than all Europe ever owned."
"Oh, very well, Monsieur; though later I must ask you to explain."