play,"
replied Law, "but I must say that this sum is beyond me, and that both
the diamond and the bank I can not compass. Yet, your Grace has at
disposal the crown jewels of France. Now, beauty is the sovereign of all
sovereigns, as Philippe of Orleans must own. To beauty belongs the use
of these crown jewels. Place them as security, and borrow the two
millions. For myself, I shall take pride in advancing the interest on
the sum for a certain time, until such occasion as the treasury may
afford the price of this trinket. In a short time it will be able to do
so, I promise your Grace; indeed able to buy a dozen such stones, and
take no thought of the matter."

"Monsieur L'as, do you actually believe these things?"

"I know them."

"And you can secure for me this gem?"

"Assuredly. We shall have it. Let it be called the 'Regent's Diamond,'
after your Grace of Orleans. And when the king shall one day wear it,
let us hope that he will place it as fitly as I am sure your Grace will
do, on the brow of beauty--even though it be beauty unknown, and kept
concealed under princely prerogative!"

"Ah! You are too keen, Monsieur L'as, too keen to see my new discovery.
Not for a little time shall I take the risk of introducing this fair
friend to one so dangerous as yourself; but one of these times, my very
good friend, if you can secure for me this diamond, you shall come to a
very little supper, and see where for a time I shall place this gem, as
you say, on the brow of beauty. For the sake of Monsieur L'as, head
magician of France my mysterious alien shall then unmask."

"And then I am to have my bank?"

"Good God, yes, a thousand banks!"

"It is agreed?"

"It is agreed."

CHAPTER V

A DAY OF MIRACLES

The regent of France kept his promise to Law, and the latter in turn
fulfilled his prophecy to the regent. Moreover, he swiftly went far
toward verifying his boast to the Lady Catharine Knollys; for in less
than a month his name was indeed on every tongue in Paris. The Banque
Generale de L'as et Compagnie was seized upon by the public, debtor and
creditor alike, as the one new thing, and hence as the only salvation.
As ever, it pleased Paris to be mystified. In some way the rumor spread
about that Monsieur L'as was _philosophique_; that the Banque Generale
was founded upon "philosophy." It was catch-word sufficient for the
time.

"_Vive_ Jean L'as, _le philosophe_--Monsieur L'as, he who has saved
France!"