"I wish to Heaven you and your Ministry and Abraham Levi were all three on the Blocksberg! I tell you what, unless you lower the price of corn, and take away the monopoly from that infernal Jew, I'll go this moment and reveal your villainy to the King, and get you and Abraham Levi banished from the country. See to it--I'll keep my word." Philip turned away in a rage, and proceeded into the dancing-room, leaving the Minister of Finance petrified with amazement. VII. "When does your Royal Highness require the carriage?" whispered a stout little Dutch merchant in a bob-wig. "Not at all," answered Philip. "'Tis after half-past eleven, and the beautiful singer expects you. She will tire of waiting." "Let her sing something to cheer her." "How, Prince? Have you changed your mind? Would you leave the captivating Rollina in the lurch, and throw away the golden opportunity you have been sighing for for two months? The letter you sent to-day, inclosing the diamond watch, did wonders. The proud but fragile beauty surrenders. This morning you were in raptures, and now you are as cold as ice! What is the cause of the change?" "That is my business, not yours," said Philip. "I had your orders to join you at half-past eleven. Perhaps you have other engagements?" "Perhaps." "A petit souper with the Countess Born? She is not present here; at least among all the masks I can't trace her out. I should know her among a thousand by that graceful walk and her peculiar way of carrying her little head--eh, Prince?" "Well, but if it were so, there would be no necessity for making you my confidant, would there?" "I will take the hint, and be silent. But won't you at any rate send to the Signora Rollina to let her know you are not coming?" "If I have sighed for her for two months, she had better sigh a month or two for me. I sha'n't go near her." "So that beautiful necklace which you sent her for a New Year's present was all for nothing?" "As far as I am concerned." "Will you break with her entirely?" "There is nothing between us to break, that I know of." "Well, then, since you speak so plainly, I may tell you something which you perhaps know already. Your love for the Signora has hitherto kept me silent; but now that you have altered your mind about her, I can no longer keep the secret from you. You are deceived." "By whom?" "By the artful singer. She would divide her favors between your Royal Highness and a Jew." "A Jew?" "Yes! with the son of Abraham Levi." "Is that rascal everywhere?" "So your Highness did not know it? but I am telling you the exact truth; if it were not for your Royal Highness, she would be his mistress. I am only sorry you gave her that watch." "I don't regret it at all." "The jade deserves to be whipped." "Few people meet their deserts," answered Philip.