n
prejudices against you."

"In that case, I was indeed unhappy, sire."

"But they exist no longer. Did you not perceive--"

"I did, indeed, sire; but I awaited with resignation the day when the
truth would prevail; and it seems that that day has now arrived."

"Ah! you knew, then, you were in disgrace with me?"

"Alas! sire, I perceived it."

"And do you know the reason?"

"Perfectly well; your majesty thought that I had been wastefully lavish
in expenditure."

"Not so; far from that."

"Or, rather an indifferent administrator. In a word, you thought
that, as the people had no money, there would be none for your majesty
either."

"Yes, I thought so; but I was deceived."

Fouquet bowed.

"And no disturbances, no complaints?"

"And money enough," said Fouquet.

"The fact is that you have been profuse with it during the last month."

"I have more, not only for all your majesty's requirements, but for all
your caprices."

"I thank you, Monsieur Fouquet," replied the king, seriously. "I will
not put you to the proof. For the next two months I do not intend to ask
you for anything."

"I will avail myself of the interval to amass five or six millions,
which will be serviceable as money in hand in case of war."

"Five or six millions!"

"For the expenses of your majesty's household only, be it understood."

"You think war probable, M. Fouquet?"

"I think that if Heaven has bestowed on the eagle a beak and claws, it
is to enable him to show his royal character."

The king blushed with pleasure.

"We have spent a great deal of money these few days past, Monsieur
Fouquet; will you not scold me for it?"

"Sire, your majesty has still twenty years of youth to enjoy, and a
thousand million francs to lavish in those twenty years."

"That is a great deal of money, M. Fouquet," said the king.

"I will economize, sire. Besides, your majesty as two valuable servants
in M. Colbert and myself. The one will encourage you to be prodigal with
your treasures--and this shall be myself, if my services should continue
to be agreeable to your majesty; and the other will economize money for
you, and this will be M. Colbert's province."

"M. Colbert?" returned the king, astonished.

"Certainly, sire; M. Colbert is an excellent accountant."

At this commendation, bestowed by the traduced on the traducer, the king
felt himself penetrated with confidence and admiration. There was not,
moreover, either in Fouquet's