I gave him full
rein,--full rein, Baron Ned,--and after he had talked and protested a
great deal, I told him that he might prove his regard for me if he would.
He asked me in what manner, and said that he would do whatever I asked.
"'It is this, your Majesty,' I answered hesitatingly. 'By accident I met
the Abbe du Boise at Lilly's house yesterday. It seems he had heard of
the kind friendship your Majesty has shown me, and doubtless hoping to
use me, offered me ten thousand pounds if I succeeded in inducing your
Majesty to accept the French king's offer for the city of Dunkirk. Ever
since my interview with him, I have been trying to see your Majesty,
hoping that you might find the information useful, and desiring your
Majesty to know that I was to receive the money in case you accepted,
else I might seem false to my king.'"
I laughed and said: "I knew you would be able to wheedle him. A little
woman with a big motive is like faith, in that she can move mountains."
"Yes, yes, it is easy enough," she answered. "He took my hand, and I
permitted him to hold it for a moment, then withdrew it, you know, as
though impelled by modesty. After duly hanging my head and casting down
my eyes in a very spasm of shyness, I told the king that I hoped he would
accept the French king's offer, and reminded him that it might avert the
terrible consequences of war, in addition to putting ten thousand pounds
in my poor empty little purse.
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