Manchurian Books

It is not necessary to say that I
am here, or have anything to do with the matter. But lose not a moment,
and give orders that no one shall enter this room."
The empress hastened away with the parchment, while the young man walked
impatiently up and down the room. It seemed hours before she returned,
but at last she came back with the document duly executed. Roland thrust
it under his belt again, and reassuring his mother, who was now weeping
on his shoulder, he tried to tear himself away. The Empress detained him
until, with fumbling hands, she unlocked a drawer in a cabinet, and took
from it a bag that gave forth a chink of metal as she pressed it on her
son.
"I must not take it," he said. "I am quite well provided. The generous
Archbishops allow me seven hundred thalers a month, which is paid with
exemplary regularity."
"There are only five hundred thalers here," replied the Empress. "I wish
there were more, but you must accept it, for I should feel easier in my
mind to know that you possess even that much.


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