Great rubies, costly emeralds, deep ruddy beryls, glimmering diamonds, were scattered there in one brilliant shimmering many-coloured heap, the harvest which she had reaped from the king's generosity during more than fifteen years.

At one side were three drawers, the one over the other.
She drew out the lowest one.

It was full to the brim of glittering _louis d'ors_.
"Take what you will!" she said.

"And now your plan! Quick!" He stuffed the money in handfuls into the side pockets of his coat.
Coins slipped between his fingers and tinkled and wheeled over the floor, but neither cast a glance at them.
"Your plan ?" she repeated.
"We must prevent the Archbishop from arriving here.

Then the marriage would be postponed until to-morrow night, and you would have time to act." "But how prevent it ?" "There are a dozen good rapiers about the court which are to be bought for less than I carry in one pocket.