Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/502

Rh 490 THE VTCOMTE DE BRAGELONNE. "And is that money in my coffers?" said the king, with a certain air of repugnance. "It is there, sire; but this confiscation, while threatening Monsieur Fouquet, has not touched him." "You conclude, then, Monsieur Colbert " "That if Monsieur Fouquet has raised against your majesty a troop of factious rioters to extricate his friends from punishment, he will raise an army when he shall have to extricate himself from punishment." The king darted at his confidant one of those looks which resemble the red fire of a stormy flash of lightning, one of chose looks which illuminate the darkness of the deepest consciences. "I am astonished," said he, "that, thinking such things of Monsieur Fouquet, you did not come to give me your counsels thereupon." "Counsels upon what, sire?" "Tell me, in the first place, clearly and precisely, what you think, Monsieur Colbert." "Upon what subject, sire?" "Upon the conduct of Monsieur Fouquet." "I think, sire, that Monsieur Fouquet, not satisfied Avith attracting all the money to himself, as Monsieur Mazarin did, and by that means depriving your majesty of one part of your power, still wishes to attract to himself all the friends of easy life and pleasures — of what idlers call poetry, and politicians corruption. I think that, by holding the subjects of your majesty in pay, he trespasses upon the royal prerogative, and cannot, if this continues so, be long in placing your majesty among the weak and obscure." "How would you qualify all these projects, Monsieur Colbert?" "The projects of Monsieur Fouquet, sire?" "Yes." "They are called crimes of Use majeste." "And what is done to criminals guilty of Use majestS?" "They are arrested, tried, and punished." "You are quite sure that Monsieur Fouquet has conceived the idea of the crime you impute to him?" "I can say more, sire; there is even a commencement of the execution of it." "Well, then, I return to that which I was saying, Mon- sieur Colbert." "And you were saying, sire?" "Give me counsel." "Pardon me, sire; but, in the first place, I have some- thing to a,^ " ''