“Very careless, I’m sure,” commented the King severely.
“I,” volunteered Dr. Franklin, “will be surety for Monsieur Burnham’s debts to the Marquis du Trémigon.”
“The word of a gentleman so vouched for is sufficient,” said the Marquis, raging in his heart, but helpless.
“I’d rather pay him the money, doctor, and owe it to you,” I said softly to Dr. Franklin.
“Is it a great sum, lad?” whispered the Quaker aside. “Our exchequer is running low. And, hark ye, that highway robbery in England. ’Tis hardly a crime of which you could be convicted in France.”
Now, why had neither I nor anyone else thought of that!
“We will attend to the debt,” said the King, after a momentary consultation with the Queen. “Now, gentlemen, no more of this.”
Of course when he put on his royal look and said that, there was nothing more for me to do.
“Pardon, Your Majesty,” said the Duc de Rivau-Huet, who had noted all that had occurred with ill-concealed impatience. “Monsieur du Trémigon has another announcement to make.”
“What is that, Duke?” asked the King.