Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/169

Rh "My dear D'Herblay, if yon knew the contents of my coffers you would be less easy."

"And you promised?"

"What could I do?"

"That's true."

"The very day when I refuse, Colbert will procure it, whence I know not, but he will procure the money, and I shall be lost."

"There is no doubt of that. In how many days hence have you promised these four millions?"

"In three days; the king seemed exceedingly pressed."

"In three days?"

"When I think," resumed Fouquet, "that just now, as I passed along the streets, the people cried out, 'There is the rich Monsieur Fouquet,' it is enough to turn my brain."

"Stay, monsieur, the matter is not worth the trouble," said Aramis calmly, sprinkling some sand over the letter he had just written.

"Suggest a remedy, then, for this evil without a remedy."

"There is only one remedy for you — pay."

"But it is very uncertain whether I have the money. Everything must be exhausted; Belle-Isle is paid for; the pension has been paid; and money, since the investigation of the account of those who farm the revenue, is rare. Besides, admitting that I pay this time, how can I do so on another occasion? When kings have tasted money they are like tigers who have tasted flesh, they devour everything. The day will arrive — must arrive — when I shall have to say 'Impossible, sire,' and on that very day I am a lost man."

Aramis raised his shoulders slightly, saying:

"A man in your position, my lord, is only lost when he wishes to be so."

"A man, whatever his position may be, cannot hope to struggle against a king."

"Nonsense; when I was young I struggled successfully with the Cardinal Eichelieu, who was King of France — nay more, cardinal."

"Where are my armies, my troops, my treasures? I have not even Belle-Isle."

"Bah! necessity is the mother of invention, and when you think all is lost, something will be discovered which shall save everything."

"Who will discover this wonderful something?"

"Yourself."