"She has the king's ear if any one has, and the ear is very close to the mind.

What may I do to serve Monsieur l'Abbe ?" "If I may see you privately---the baron and me--I shall tell you how you may serve me," answered the Abbe.
The Abbe and I excused ourselves to Frances and Bettina, and went with the Doctor to the room which he called his observatory, where we came to the point very quickly:-- "I want to buy Dunkirk for my master for the sum of one hundred thousand pounds," said the Abbe, by way of starting the consultation.
"But London has already offered that sum," returned Lilly, "and stands ready to pay more." "In payments," suggested the Abbe.
"Yes," returned Lilly.

"But I see no way of bringing the king to accept the sum you offer unless--unless Mistress Jennings can persuade him." "She may be able to do so," answered the Abbe, shrugging his shoulders.
He spoke very bad English throughout the consultation.

"But the stars, too, may be very persuasive with King Charles.

To be plain, he will probably consult you, and if--" "I am to see him to-night.