The place in which he transacted his ambassadorial business was the kitchen, with great danger that the terrible Desnoyers might happen in there, on one of his perambulations as a laboring man, and surprise the intruder.
Dona Luisa would weep, touched by the heartrending tales of the messenger.

What could she do! She was as poor as her maids; she had jewels, many jewels, but not a franc.

Then Argensola came to the rescue with a solution worthy of his experience.

He would smooth the way for the good mother, leaving some of her jewels at the Mont-de-Piete.

He knew the way to raise money on them.