Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/330

Rh "What economy was that, monsieur?" asked Louis XIV.

"Your majesty knows that the hundred Swiss have silver lace on each side of their ribbons?"

"Doubtless."

"Well, sire, it was I who proposed that false silver lace should be placed upon these ribbons; it could not be seen, and a hundred thousand crowns serve to feed a regiment during six months; or is the price of ten thousand good muskets; or is the value of a vessel of ten guns, ready for sea."

"That is true," said Louis XIV., considering the personage more attentively; "and, ma foi! there is an economy well placed; besides it was ridiculous for soldiers to wear the same lace as noblemen wear."

"I am happy to be approved of by your majesty."

"Is that the only appointment you held with the cardinal?" asked the king. "It was I who was appointed to examine the accounts of the surintendant, sire."

"Ah!" said Louis, who was about to dismiss Coibert, but whom that word stopped. "Ah! it was you whom his em-inence had charged to control Monsieur Fouquet, was it? And the result of the examination?"

"Is that there is a deficit, sire; but if your majesty will permit me--"

"Speak, Monsieur Colbert."

"I ought to give your majesty some explanations."

"Not at all, monsieur; it is you who have controlled these accounts; give me the results."

"That is very eaily done, sire; empty everywhere, money nowhere."

"Beware, monsieur, you are roughly attacking the administration of Monsieur Fouquet, who, nevertheless, I have heard say is an able man."

Colbert colored, and then became pale, for he felt that from that minute he entered a struggle with a man whose power almost equaled the power of him who had just died.

"Yes, sire, a very able man," repeated Colbert, bowing.

"But if Monsieur Fouquet is an able man, and, in spite of that ability, if money be wanting, whose fault is it?"

"I do not accuse, sire, I verify."

"That is well; make out your accounts, and present them to me. There is a deficit, do you say? A deficit may be temporary; credit returns and funds are restored."

"No, sire."