no means. Abandoned would be quite the improper word. 'Tis to be
improved, expanded, increased, magnified! My Lords, there is the
opportunity of a life-time for every one of us here!"

"Say on, man, say on!" commanded the prince, the covetousness of his
soul shining in his eyes as he leaned forward.

"I mean to say this," and the spy lowered his voice as he looked
anxiously about. "The regent hath taken a fancy to be chief owner
himself of an enterprise so profitable. In fine, the Banque Generale is
to become the Banque Royale. His Majesty of France, represented by his
Grace the regent, is to become the head banker of France and Europe!
Monsieur L'as is to be retained as director-general of this Banque
Royale. There are to be branches fixed in different cities of the realm,
at Lyons, at Tours, at Amiens, at Rochelle, at Orleans--in fact, all
France is to go upon a different footing."

The glances of the Prince de Conti and the Austrian met each other. The
Jew drew a long breath as he sat back in his chair, his hands grasping
at the edge of the table. Try as he might, he scarce could keep his chin
from trembling. He licked out his tongue to moisten his lips.

"There is so much," resumed Varenne, "that 'tis hard to tell it all. But
you must know that this Banque Royale will be still more powerful than
the old one. There will be incorporated with it, not only the Company of
the West, but also the General Company of the Indies, as you know, the
most considerable mercantile enterprise of France. Now listen! Within
the first year the Banque Royale will issue one thousand million livres
in notes. This embodiment of the Compagnie Generale of the Indies will
warrant, as I know by the secret plans of the bank, the issue of notes
amounting to two billion livres. Therefore, as Monsieur de la Chaise
signifies, he who is lucky enough to-day to own a few _actions_ of the
Banque Royale, or even the old _actions_ of Monsieur L'as' bank, which
will be redeemed by its successor, is in a way to gain greater sums than
were ever seen on the face of any investment from the beginning of the
world until to-day! Now, as I was about to ask of you, Monsieur
Fraslin--"

The speaker turned in his chair to where Fraslin had been but a moment
before. The chair was empty.

"Our friend stepped to the door but on the instant," said De la Chaise.
"He is perhaps--"

"That he has," cried Varenne. "He is the first of us to profit! Monsieur
le Prince