"Yes," replied the cardinal, "about the money you wrote of; it was a pretext, was it not?"
"No, monsieur, a serious matter, as it concerns a sum of 500,000 francs."
"The sum which you lent me?" cried the cardinal, growing pale.
"Yes, monseigneur; I love to see so good a memory in a great prince like you."
The cardinal felt overwhelmed by the blow. At last, trying to smile, he said:
"I thought that Joseph Balsamo had carried his debt with him to the tomb, as he threw the receipt into the fire."
"Monseigneur," replied the count, "the life of Joseph Balsamo is as indestructible as the sheet on which you wrote. Death cannot conquer the elixir of life; fire is powerless against asbestos."
"I do not understand," said the cardinal.
"You soon will," replied Cagliostro, producing a folded paper, which he offered to the prince.
He, before opening it, cried, "My receipt!"
"Yes, monseigneur, your receipt."
"But I saw you burn it."
"True, I threw it on the fire, but by accident you had written on a piece of asbestos, so that the receipt remained uninjured among the cinders."
"Monsieur," said the cardinal, haughtily, for he thought this a proof that he had been suspected, "believe me, I should not have denied my debt, even without this paper; therefore you were wrong to deceive me."
"I deceived you?"
"Yes; you made me think the paper was destroyed."
"To leave you the calm enjoyment of 500,000 francs."
"But, sir, why have you left such a sum for ten years unclaimed?"
"I knew, monseigneur, that it was safe. Various events have deprived me of my wealth; but, knowing that I had this sum in reserve, I have waited patiently until the last moment."
"And has that arrived?"
"Alas! yes, monseigneur."
"So that you can really wait no longer?"
"No, monseigneur."
"You want it at once?"
"If it please you to pay it."
The cardinal was at first silent, through despair. Then he said, in a hoa.r.s.e voice:
"M. le Comte, we unhappy princes of the earth do not improvise fortunes as quickly as you enchanters."
"Oh, monseigneur," said Cagliostro, "I would not have asked you for this sum, had I not known beforehand that you had it."
"I have 500,000 francs?"
"30,000 in gold, 11,000 in silver, and the rest in notes, which are in this buhl cabinet."
The cardinal turned white. "You knew this?"
"Yes, monseigneur, and I know you have made great sacrifices to obtain it. I have heard that you will pay heavily for it."
"Oh, it is too true!"
"But, monseigneur, during these ten years I have often been in want and embarra.s.sment, yet I have kept this paper back, so as not to trouble you; therefore I do not think you can complain."
"Complain! oh, no, sir; when you graciously lent me such a sum, I must ever remain your debtor. But during those ten years there were twenty occasions when I could have repaid you with ease, while to-day the rest.i.tution you demand embarra.s.ses me dreadfully. You, who know everything, who read even hearts, and penetrate the doors of cabinets, doubtless, know also the purpose for which this money was destined."
"You are wrong, monseigneur," said Cagliostro, coldly. "My knowledge has brought me so much misery and disappointment, that I no longer seek to penetrate the secrets of others. It concerned me to know whether you had this money, as I wished to claim it; but once having ascertained that, I did not trouble myself to think for what purpose it was destined.
Besides, did I know it, it might seem so grave a matter as almost to force me to waive my claim, which really at present I cannot afford to do. Therefore, I prefer to be ignorant."
"Oh, monsieur," cried the cardinal, "do not think I wish to parade my embarra.s.sments in order to elude my debt! You have your own interests to look to; they are guaranteed by this paper, which bears my signature--that is enough. You shall have your money, although I do not think there was any promise to pay."
"Your eminence is mistaken;" and opening the paper he read these words:
"I acknowledge the receipt of 500,000 francs from M. Joseph Balsamo, which I will repay on demand.
"LOUIS DE ROHAN."
"You see, monseigneur, that I only ask my right; besides, as this was a spontaneous loan by me to a man I hardly knew, the payment might have been equally spontaneous, without waiting for me to claim it. But you did not think so. Well, monseigneur, I withdraw this paper, and bid you adieu."
"No, count," replied the cardinal; "a Rohan must not receive lessons in generosity; besides, this is a mere question of honesty. Give me the paper, sir, and I will discharge my debt."
For a moment Cagliostro hesitated, for the pale face and distressed air of the cardinal inclined him to pity; but quickly hardening himself he handed him the paper. M. de Rohan went to the cabinet, and took out the money. "There," said he, "are your 500,000 francs; and I owe you 250,000 more for interest, which you shall have if you will give me time."
"Monseigneur," said Cagliostro, "I lent 500,000 francs to M. de Rohan, which he has paid me; he therefore owes me nothing more. I will take the notes with me, and send for the money. I thank you for your compliance with my request." Then, bowing, he left the room.
"Well," sighed M. de Rohan, "it is likely, at least, that the queen has the money, and no Joseph Balsamo will come and take it from her."
CHAPTER LVIII.
FAMILY ACCOUNTS.