king's apartment,
where a little bell, which we already know, had announced him to his
majesty.

The king, without rising, nodded to him, and with interest--"Well! how
are you. Monsieur Fouquet?" said he.

"I am in a high fever," replied the superintendent; "but I am at the
king's service."

"That is well; the States assemble to-morrow; have you a speech ready?"

Fouquet looked at the king with astonishment. "I have not, sire,"
replied he; "but I will improvise one. I am too well acquainted with
affairs to feel any embarrassment. I have only one question to ask; will
your majesty permit me?"

"Certainly; ask it."

"Why has your majesty not done his first minister the honor to give him
notice of this in Paris!"

"You were ill; I was not willing to fatigue you."

"Never did a labor--never did an explanation fatigue me, sire; and,
since the moment is come for me to demand an explanation of my king--"

"Oh, Monsieur Fouquet, an explanation upon what?"

"Upon your majesty's intentions with respect to myself."

The king blushed. "I have been calumniated," continued Fouquet, warmly,
"and I feel called upon to provoke the justice of the king to make
inquiries."

"You say all this to me very uselessly, Monsieur Fouquet; I know what I
know."

"Your majesty can only know things as they have been told to you; and I,
on my part, have said nothing to you, while others have spoken many,
and many times--"

"What do you wish to say?" said the king, impatient to put an end to
this embarrassing conversation.

"I will go straight to the fact, sire; and I accuse a man of having
injured me in your majesty's opinion."

"Nobody has injured you, Monsieur Fouquet."

"That reply proves to me, sire, that I am right."

"Monsieur Fouquet, I do not like people to be accused."

"Not when one is accused?"

"We have already spoken too much about this affair."

"Your majesty will not allow me to justify myself."

"I repeat that I do not accuse you."

Fouquet, with a half-bow, made a step backward. "It is certain," thought
he, "that he has made up his mind. He alone who cannot go back can show
such obstinacy. Not to see the danger now would be to be blind indeed!
not to shun it would be stupid." He resumed aloud: "Did your majesty
send for me for any business?"

"No, Monsieur Fouquet, but for some advice I have to give you."

"I respectfully await it, sire."

"Rest yourself, Monsieur Fouquet, do not throw away your stre