ould not the issue of our notes and the total of
our specie be equal, one with the other? The only wrong thing is this
insulting presumption of these people, who have sold _actions_ at a
price lower than we have decreed."

Law smiled as he replied. "You say excellently well, my master. These
plans surely show that you and your able counselors have studied deeply
the questions of finance! I have told you what would happen to-day
without any decree of the king. Now go you on, and make your decrees.
You will find that the people are much more eager for values which are
going up than values which are going down. Start your shares down hill,
and you will see all France scramble for such coin, such plate, such
jewels as may be within the ability of France to lay her hands upon.
Tell me, your Grace, did Monsieur d'Argenson advise you this morning as
to the total issue of the _actions_ of this Company?"

"Surely he did, and here I have it in memorandum, for I was to have
taken it up with yourself," replied the regent.

"So," exclaimed Law, a look of surprise passing over his countenance,
until now rigidly controlled, as he gazed at the little slip of paper.
"Your Grace advises me that there are issued at this time in the shares
of the Company no less than two billion, two hundred and thirty-five
million, eighty-five thousand, five hundred and ninety livres in notes!
Against this, as your Grace is good enough to agree with me, we have
thirteen hundred millions of specie. Your Grace, yourself and I have
seen some pretty games in our day. Look you, the merriest game of all
your life is now but just before you!"

"And you would go and leave me at this time?"

"Never in my life have I forsaken a friend at the time of distress,"
replied Law. "But your Grace absolved me when you forsook me, when you
doubted and hesitated regarding me, and believed the protestations of
those not so able as myself to judge of what was best. And now it is too
late. Will your Grace allow me to suggest that a place behind stout
gates and barred doors, deep within the interior of the Palais Royal,
will be the best residence for him to-night--perhaps for several nights
to come?"

"And yourself?"

"As for myself, it does not matter," replied Law, slowly and
deliberately. "I have lived, and I thought I had succeeded. Indeed,
success was mine for some short months, though now I must meet failure.
I have this to console me--that 'twas failure not of my o