A VAltf CAPITALIST. 17

largest. The King observed to Desmarets that he was very
glad to see him with M. Bernard; then immediately said to
this latter:

(< You are just the man never to have seen ITarly—come and
see it now; I will give you up afterwards to Desmarets."

Bernard followed, and while the walk lasted the King spoke
only to Bergheyck and to Bernard, leading them everywhere,
and showing them everything with the grace he so well knew
how to employ when he desired to overwhelm. I admired, and
I was not the only one, this species of prostitution of the King,
so niggard of his words, to a man of Bernard's degree. I was
not long in learning the cause of it, and I admired to see how
low the greatest kings sometimes find themselves reduced.

Our finances just then were exhausted. Desmarets no longer
knew of what wood to make a crutch. He had "been to Paris
knocking at every door. But the most exact engagements had
been so often broken that he found nothing but excuses and
closed doors. Bernard, like the rest, would advance nothing.
Much was due to him. In vain Desmarets represented to Mm
the pressing necessity for money, and the enormous gains he
had made out of the Kong. Bernard remained unshakeable.
The King and the minister were cruelly embarrassed. Des-
marets said to the King that, after all was said and done, only
Samuel Bernard could draw them out of the mess, because it
was not doubtful that he had plenty of money everywhere;
that the only thing needed was to vanquish Ms determination
and the obstinacy—even insolence—he had shown; that he
was a man crazy with vanity, and capable of opening Lis purse
if the King deigned to flatter him.

It was agreed, therefore, that Desmarets should invite Ber-
nard to dinner—should walk with him—and that the King
should come and disturb them as I have related. Bernard was
the dupe of this scheme; lie returned from Ms walk with the
King enchanted to such an extent that he said he would prefer
ruining himself rather than leave in embarrassment a Prince
who had just treated him so graciously, and whose eulogiums
he littered with enthusiasm! Desmarets profited by this trick

VOL. IT. 2