Part 29 (2/2)
”You perceive that I do know it; is that not sufficient? Well, go on,has required you to supply-”
”You understand, et it counted, afterwards registered-altogether a long affair Since Monsieur de Mazarin's death, financial affairs occasion soue and embarrassment My administration is somewhat overtaxed, and this is the reason why I have not slept during the past night”
”So you have the amount?” inquired the e, marquise,” replied Fouquet, cheerfully, ”if a superintendent of finances were not to have a paltry four millions in his coffers”
”Yes, yes, I believe you either have, or will have the I shall have the since you were required to furnish two e; but do not let us talk of er”
”On the contrary, ill continue to speak of the to see you”
”I a,” said the superintendent, whose eyes began to express an anxious curiosity
”Tell me, monsieur, is the office of superintendent a permanent position?”
”You surprise me, marchioness, for you speak as if you had so the question”
”My reason is si some money in your hands, and naturally I wish to know if you are certain of your post”
”Really, marquise, I a”
”Seriously, then, dear M Fouquet, I have certain funds which so my money in lands, and am anxious to intrust it to some friend ill turn it to account”
”Surely it does not press,” said M Fouquet
”On the contrary, it is very pressing”
”Very well, ill talk of that by and by”
”By and by will not do, forout the coffer to the superintendent, and showing hiold Fouquet, who had risen from his seat at the saed in thought; then suddenly starting back, he turned pale, and sank down in his chair, concealing his face in his hands ”Madame, madame,” he murmured, ”what opinion can you have of me, when you make me such an offer?”
”Of you!” returned the marquise ”Tell me, rather, what you yourself think of the step I have taken”
”You bringit because you know me to be embarrassed Nay, do not deny it, for I am sure of it Can I not read your heart?”
”If you know my heart, then, can you not see that it is htly, then,” exclaiiven you the right to insultpale, ”what singular delicacy of feeling! You tell me you love me; in the name of that affection you wish me to sacrifice my reputation and my honor, yet, when I offer you money which is my own, you refuse me”
”Madame, you are at liberty to preserve what you term your reputation and your honor Permit me to preserve ht of the hatreds which surround me, beneath the faults I have committed, beneath the load, even, of my remorse, but, for Heaven's sake, madame, do not overwhelm me with this last infliction”
”A short ti”
Fouquet pressed his clenched hand upon his breast, heaving with e to reply”
”I offered you my friendshi+p, M Fouquet”
”Yes, madame, and you li is the act of a friend”
”No doubt it is”
”And you reject this mark of my friendshi+p?”
”I do reject it”
”Monsieur Fouquet, look ateyes, ”I now offer you my love”
”Oh,while past; wo time past I have loved you, but would not confess it Well, then, you have implored this love on your knees, and I have refused you; I was blind, as you were a little while since; but as it was ht, it is my love I now offer you”
”Oh! madame, you overwhelm me beneath a load of happiness”
”Will you be happy, then, if I am yours-entirely?”
”It will be the supremest happiness for me”
”Take me, then If, however, for your sake I sacrifice a prejudice, do you, for mine, sacrifice a scruple”
”Do not tempt me”
”Do not refuse ”
”Fouquet, but one word Let it be 'No,' and I open this door,” and she pointed to the door which led into the streets, ”and you will never see ain Let that word be 'Yes,' and I am yours entirely”
”Elise! Elise! But this coffer?”
”Containsover the gold and papers; ”there must be a er if you do not love er if you love me as I love you”
”This is too much,” exclaimed Fouquet ”I yield, I yield, even were it only to consecrate so much devotion I accept the dowry”
”And take the wo herself into his arms