usand for provisions, a thousand for arms, ten thousand
for accidental expenses; I do not err, then, in reckoning upon nine
hundred thousand livres that are left." Then turning towards Colbert,
like a disdainful head of office towards his inferior, "Take care,
monsieur," said he, "that those nine hundred thousand livres be remitted
to his majesty this evening, in gold."

"But," said the king, "that will make two millions five hundred thousand
livres."

"Sire, the five hundred thousand livres over will serve as pocket money
for his royal highness. You understand, Monsieur Colbert, this evening
before eight o'clock."

And with these words, bowing respectfully to the king, the
superintendent made his exit backwards, without honoring with a single
look the envious man, whose head he had just half shaved.

Colbert tore his ruffles to pieces in his rage, and bit his lips till
they bled.

Fouquet had not passed the door of the cabinet, when an usher pushing by
him, exclaimed: "A courier from Bretagne for his majesty."

"M. d'Herblay was right," murmured Fouquet, pulling out his watch; "an
hour and fifty-five minutes. It was quite true."

End of The Vicomte de Bragelonne. The next text in the series is Ten
Years Later.

Footnotes:

[Footnote 1: The correct name of the city is Brighthelmstone. The
mistake is Dumas's.]

[Footnote 2: In the five-volume edition, Volume 1 ends here.]

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