as, M. d'Artagnan; you will see
them expand in the sun of public peace; and if I have not the certainty
and good fortune to conquer the friendship of honest men, I am at least
certain, monsieur, that I shall obtain their esteem. For their
admiration, monsieur, I would give my life."

This change, this sudden elevation, this mute approbation of the king,
gave the musketeer matter for much reflection. He bowed civilly to
Colbert, who did not take his eyes off him. The king, when he saw they
were reconciled, dismissed them. They left the room together. As soon as
they were out of the cabinet, the new minister, stopping the captain,
said:

"Is it possible, M. d'Artagnan, that with such an eye as yours, you have
not, at the first glance, at the first inspection, discovered what sort
of man I am?"

"Monsieur Colbert," replied the musketeer, "the ray of the sun which we
have in our eyes prevents us from seeing the most ardent flames. The man
in power radiates, you know; and since you are there, why should you
continue to persecute him who has just fallen into disgrace, and fallen
from such a height?"

"I! monsieur," said Colbert; "oh, monsieur! I would never persecute him.
I wished to administer the finances, and to administer them alone,
because I am ambitious, and, above all, because I have the most entire
confidence in my own merit; because I know that all the gold of this
country will fall beneath my eyes, and I love to look at the king's
gold; because, if I live thirty years, in thirty years not a _denier_ of
it will remain in my hands; because, with that gold I will build
granaries, edifices, cities, and dig ports; because I will create a
marine, will equip navies which shall bear the name of France to the
most distant peoples; because I will create libraries and acadamies;
because I will make of France the first country in the world, and the
richest. These are the motives for my animosity against M. Fouquet, who
prevented my acting. And then, when I shall be great and strong, when
France is great and strong, in my turn then I will cry, 'Mercy!'"

"Mercy, did you say: then ask his liberty of the king. The king only
crushes him on your account."

Colbert again raised his head. "Monsieur," said he, "you know that it is
not so, and that the king has his personal enmities against M. Fouquet;
it is not for me to teach you that."

"But the king will be tired; he will forget."

"The king never forgets, M. d'Artagnan.