ad arrived. All were equal who held equal numbers
of these shares. The mind of each was blank to all but one absorbing
theme.

Law looked over this familiar scene, indifferent, calm, almost moody,
his cheek against his hand, his elbow on his chair. "What was the call,
Henri," asked he, at length, of the old Swiss who had, during these
stormy times, been so long his faithful attendant. "What was the last
quotation that you heard?"

"Your Honor, there are no quotations," replied the attendant. "'Tis
only as one is able to buy. The _actions_ of the last issue, three
hundred thousand in all, were swept away at a breath at fifteen thousand
livres the share."

"Ninety times what their face demands," said Law, impassively.

"True, some ninety times," said the Swiss. "'Tis said that of this issue
the regent has taken over one-third, or one hundred thousand, himself.
'Tis this that makes the price of the other two-thirds run the higher,
since 'tis all that the public has to buy."

"Lucky regent," said Law, sententiously. "Plenty would seem to have been
his fortune!"

He grimly turned again to his study of the crowds which swarmed among
the pavilions before his window. Outside his door he heard knockings and
cries, and impatient footfalls, but neither he nor the impassive Swiss
paid to these the least attention. It was to them an old experience.

"Your Honor, the Prince de Conti is in the antechamber and would see
you," at length ventured the attendant, after listening for some time
with his ear at an aperture in the door.

"Let the Prince de Conti wait," said Law, "and a plague take him for a
grasping miser! He has gained enough. Time was when I waited at his
door."

"The Abbe Dubois--here is his message pushed beneath the door."

"My dearest enemy," replied Law, calmly. "The old rat may seek another
burrow."

"The Duchesse de la Rochefoucauld."

"Ah, then, she hath overcome her husband's righteousness of resolution,
and would beg a share or so? Let her wait. I find these duchesses the
most tiresome animals in the world."

"The Madame de Tencin."

"I can not see the Madame de Tencin."

"A score of dukes and foreign princes. My faith! master, we have never
had so large a line of guests as come this morning." The stolid
impassiveness of the Swiss seemed on the point of giving way.

"Let them wait," replied Law, evenly as before. "Not one of them would
listen to me five years ago. Now I shall listen to them--sh