"Oh, if he has his wits about him, he may manage it in a year."
"Then the King ought to be counselled to change his finance minister every twelve months, if he wishes to be faithfully and honorably served."
"I hope, your Royal Highness, that since I have had the Exchequer, the King and Court have been faithfully served?"
"I believe you, Count, and the poor people believe you still more. Already they scarcely know how to pay their rates and taxes. You should treat us with a little more consideration, Count."
"Us!—don't I do everything for the Court?"
"No! I mean the people. You should have a little more consideration for them."
"I appreciate what your Royal Highness says; but I serve the King and the Court, and the people are not to be considered. The country is his private property, and the people are only useful to him as increasing the value of the land. But this is no time to discuss the old story about the interests of the people. I beg your Royal Highness' answer to my propositions. Shall I have the honor to discharge your debts on the above specified conditions?"
"Answer,—no—never, never! at the expense of hundreds and thousands of starving families."
