ch affairs of state never impressed a
wrinkle, was this evening paler than usual, and more than one friendly
eye remarked that pallor. Fouquet placed himself at the head of the
table, and presided gayly during supper. He recounted Vatel's expedition
to La Fontaine, related the history of Menneville and the skinny fowl
to Pellisson, in such a manner that all the table heard it. A tempest of
laughter and jokes ensued, which was only checked by a serious and
even sad gesture from Pellisson. The Abbe Fouquet, not being able to
comprehend why his brother should have led the conversation in that
direction, listened with all his ears, and sought in the countenance
of Gourville, or in that of his brother, an explanation which nothing
afforded him. Pellisson took up the matter:--"Did they mention M.
Colbert, then?" said he.

"Why not?" replied Fouquet; "if true, as it is said to be, that the king
has made him his intendant?" Scarcely had Fouquet uttered these words,
with a marked intention, than an explosion broke forth among the guests.

"The miser!" said one.

"The mean, pitiful fellow!" said another.

"The hypocrite!" said a third.

Pellisson exchanged a meaning look with Fouquet. "Messieurs," said
he, "in truth we are abusing a man whom no one knows: it is neither
charitable nor reasonable; and here is monsieur le surintendant, who, I
am sure, agrees with me."

"Entirely," replied Fouquet. "Let the fat fowls of M. Colbert alone; our
business to-day is with the faisans truffes of M. Vatel." This speech
stopped the dark cloud which was beginning to throw its shade over the
guests. Gourville succeeded so well in animating the poets with the
vin de Joigny; the abbe, intelligent as a man who stands in need of
his host's money, so enlivened the financiers and the men of the sword,
that, amidst the vapors of this joy and the noise of conversation,
inquietudes disappeared completely. The will of Cardinal Mazarin was the
text of the conversation at the second course and dessert; then Fouquet
ordered bowls of sweetmeats and fountains of liquors to be carried into
the salon adjoining the gallery. He led the way thither conducting
by the hand a lady, the queen, by his preference, of the evening. The
musicians then supped, and the promenades in the gallery and the gardens
commenced, beneath a spring sky, mild and flower-scented. Pellisson
then approached the superintendent, and said: "Something troubles
monseigneur?"

"Greatly,"