"So lonely, Prince! I consider myself happy in having a minute's conversation with your Royal Highness." Philip looked at the speaker; and he was a miner, covered over with gold and jewels. "But one instant," said the mask. "The business is pressing, and deeply concerns you." "Who are you?" inquired Philip. "Count Bodenlos, the Minister of Finance, at your Highness's service," answered the miner, and showed his face, which looked as if it were a second mask, with its little eyes and copper-colored nose. "Well, then, my lord, what are your commands?" "May I speak openly? I waited on your Royal Highness thrice, and was never admitted to the honor of an audience; and yet--Heaven is my witness--no man in all this court has a deeper interest in your Royal Highness than I have." "I am greatly obliged to you," replied Philip; "what is your business just now? But be quick." "May I venture to speak of the house of Abraham Levi?" "As much as you like." "They have applied to me about the fifty thousand dollars which you owe them, and threaten to apply to the King. And you remember your promise to his Majesty, when last he paid your debts." "Can't the people wait?" asked Philip. "No more than the Brothers, goldsmiths, who demand their seventy-five thousand dollars." "It is all one to me. If the people won't wait for their money, I must--" "No hasty resolution, my gracious Lord! I have it in my power to make everything comfortable, if--" "Well, if what?" "If you will honor me by listening to me one moment. I hope to have no difficulty in redeeming all your debts. The house of Abraham Levi has bought up immense quantities of corn, so that the price is very much raised. A decree against importation will raise it three or four percent. higher. By giving Abraham Levi the monopoly, the business will be arranged. The house erases your debt, and pays off your seventy-five thousand dollars to the goldsmiths, and I give you over the receipts. But everything depends on my continuing for another year at the head of the Finance. If Baron Griefensack succeeds in ejecting me from the Ministry, I shall be unable to serve your Royal Highness as I could wish. If your Highness will leave the party of Griefensack, our point is gained. For me, it is a matter of perfect indifference whether I remain in office or not. I sigh for repose. But for your Royal Highness, it is a matter of great moment. If I have not the mixing of the pack, I lose the game." Philip for some time did not know what answer to make. At last, while the Finance Minister, in expectation of his reply, took a pinch out of his snuff-box set with jewels, Philip said: "If I rightly understand you, Sir Count, you would starve the country a little, in order to pay my debts. Consider, sir, what misery you will cause. And will the King consent to it?"