"I do not despair at all, Your Excellency," he answered quietly.
"But if there is no such stone?" asked the Countess.
He smiled as one who cannot restrain his amusement at the foolishness of the ignorant.
"It has been discovered, Madame, many times," he answered gently.
"And always lost again?"
"And always lost."
"That is strange, Magister, that more care was not taken to preserve such a secret."
"Ah, Madame, it is too great a thing to be lightly imparted from one man to another; it can only be attained after much labour, much suffering, prayer, and humiliation."
"It would change the world," said Rénèe, and she thought of the Prince and how gold was all the difference between success and failure. William had failed through lack of it; for that reason Alva might fail too.
"It would be a terrible power," added the Countess thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is as well that it is not often discovered."