“Ay! in your behalf, I will make a brave effort to be good. It is asking a great deal, and I am no saint; but then I am in no haste to give that proud old man, who is waiting for me, a daughter-in-law who is neither of the court or the people. So we will talk no more of this pretty Marguerite, but let her fly, as we sometimes sent the birds we had snared back to their native woods in the pure wantonness of benevolence. Sometimes we would gladly have got them back, you know, Jacques, but the little wretches would not come. Give me my hat, man; do you know that we are keeping the proudest old man in France waiting?” Jacques took up the hat which Mirabeau had flung to the floor when he sat down. The count received it lazily, and putting a finger on two of the triangular points, began to twirl it between his hands. He certainly did not seem to be much distressed at keeping his father in suspense. “Jacques,” he said, after a few moments’ silence, “Have you seen the old gentleman?” “Only for a moment.” “Did he speak of—— Well, we may as well be frank. Did he mention finances? Has he an idea of the trouble his close-fisted parsimony has brought on me—of the shifts and arrangements I am constantly compelled to make?” “How can he help knowing it, monsieur count? A man of good family cannot live on air; and what else has he provided for a son that—I must say it—is the glory of his house?” “Not much, Jacques—certainly, not much; but more perhaps, than you know of. Still, he comes in good time, for I am fairly at my wits’ end for means. Can you manage to let him know this, and impress upon him the necessity of a liberal supply? Tell him of the great popularity you are so confident of. Hint to him that I have had advances from the court, and only need a little persuasion to carry me over, body and soul, which will end in a thorough reconciliation between the people and the king. In short, Jacques, you know what to say, and you know the man. It will not be the first time you have done me good service with him.” “Nor shall it be the last, by a thousand, if I can help it,” answered Jacques, delighted with his mission. “God grant that what I say proves true! Then, indeed, you will be the saviour of this unhappy country!” “Well, well! you understand my wishes, and will know how to carry them out. I have sworn never to ask my father for another sous on earth—and I never will; but my oath does not reach you, brother Jacques. The old man is a staunch royalist, and would do much for Louis. When he knows how I stand between the court and the people, powerful with both, he will forget past extravagance, and come forward to sustain the honor of his house.” “I will put the case before him in this light; I will tell him all that he ought to know. Even now an agent of the queen is seeking you.” “Ha! Where did you learn this?” cried Mirabeau, flushing scarlet with sudden astonishment and delight. “The agent came to me.” “When?” “Only this morning.”