"If the king's inclination can be changed, fear will sweep aside all other considerations in a moment, and he will accept the one hundred thousand pounds which you will offer to-morrow morning.
But in case the king does conclude to accept the French king's offer, the iron will at once take on a white heat, and--well, iron remains at white heat only a short time.

You must be ready to act quickly when the proper moment comes, or London will spring between you and the king." "I shall be ready," returned the Abbe.

"The king shall be inclined to our proposition before another day is past." "Shall I tell you what the stars predict concerning the signing of the treaty ?" asked Lilly.
"Yes, yes," I answered eagerly.
"I have found Venus in conjunction with--" began Lilly.
"Oh, damn the stars!" cried the Abbe, most uncanonically.

"Tell me what you think about it!" "The stars tell me that the treaty will be signed to-morrow night--that is, to-night, this being the early morning," answered the Doctor, persistently maintaining his attitude of stellar interpreter.
"Very well.

Good night, Doctor," said the Abbe.