Part 46 (1/2)
”But what can we do, neur?” continued Colbert, ”we have done our best on slender resources”
Fouquet esture of assent
”But,” pursued Colbert, ”it would be only a proper display of your neur, if you were to offer to his ardens which have cost you sixty millions of francs”
”Seventy-two,” said Fouquet
”An additional reason,” returned Colbert; ”it would, indeed, be truly nificent”
”But do you suppose, n to accept my invitation?”
”I have no doubt whatever of it,” cried Colbert, hastily; ”I will guarantee that he does”
”You are exceedingly kind,” said Fouquet ”I neur; yes, certainly”
”Then I will consider the matter,” yawned Fouquet
”Accept, accept,” whispered Araerly
”You will consider?” repeated Colbert
”Yes,” replied Fouquet; ”in order to knohat day I shall sub, reed,” said the superintendent ”Gentlemen, I should wish to issue oes, the king is in his own palace; it is by his majesty, therefore, that you ht immediately arose Fouquet bowed and left
”Proud and dauntless ht Colbert, ”you accept, and yet you knoill cost you ten millions”
”You have ruined me,” whispered Fouquet, in a low tone, to Aramis
”I have saved you,” replied the latter, whilst Fouquet ascended the flight of steps and inquired whether the king was still visible
Chapter XLVII The Orderly Clerk
The king, anxious to be again quite alone, in order to reflect well upon as passing in his heart, had withdrawn to his own apartnan had, after his conversation with Madaone to meet him This conversation has already been related The favorite, vain of his twofold i the last two hours, the confidant of the king, began to treat the affairs of the court in a somewhat indifferent manner: and, from the position in which he had placed hi but love and garlands of flowers around hi, that of Guiche for Mada, that of Malicorne for Montalais, that of Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente for hih to turn the head of any courtier? Besides, Saint-Aignan was the model of courtiers, past, present, and to come; and, moreover, showed hily appreciative that the king listened to hireat interest, particularly when he described the excited ht for him to converse about the affair of Madeer experienced for Madame any remains of the passion he had once felt for her, there was, in this sareat gratification for his vanity, from which he could not free hi le ht not, think of his adventure When, however, Saint-Aignan had finished, the king, while preparing to retire to rest, asked, ”Now, Saint-Aignan, you knohat Mademoiselle de la Valliere is, do you not?”
”Not only what she is, but what she will be”
”What do youthat woman can wish to be-that is to say, beloved by youryour majestyI do not wish to knohat she is to-day, or what she will be to-morrow; as you have remarked, that is my affair But tell me what others say of her”
”They say she is well conducted”
”Oh!” said the king, sh, at court, sire, to believe when it is spread”
”Perhaps you are right Is she well born?”
”Excellently; the daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere, and step-daughter of that good M de Saint-Remy”
”Ah, yes! my aunt's major-domo; I reh Blois She was presented to the queens I have even to reproach myself that I did not on that occasion pay her the attention she deserved”
”Oh, sire! I trust that your majesty will now repair time lost”
”And the report-you tell me-is, that Mademoiselle de la Valliere never had a lover”
”In any case, I do not think your majesty would be , in a very serious tone of voice
”Your majesty?”
”I remember”
”Ah!”
”If she has no lover, she has, at least, a betrothed”
”A betrothed!”
”What! Count, do you not know that?”
”No”
”You, the man who knows all the news?”
”Your majesty will excuse me You know this betrothed, then?”
”assuredly! his father ca was about to pronounce the Vicoelonne's name, when he stopped, and knitted his brows
”It is-” repeated Saint-Aignan, inquiringly
”I don't re to conceal an annoyance he had souise
”Can I put your nan