he richest person in a kingdom, and will take the trouble to spend
the money, if things are done he does not like, it is because he is a
poor man. Let us return to Saint-Mande, I say."

"To consult with Pelisson?--we will."

"No, monseigneur, to count your money."

"So be it," said Fouquet, with angry eyes;--"yes, yes, to Saint-Mande!"
He got into his carriage again, and Gourville with him. Upon their
road, at the end of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, they overtook the humble
equipage of Vatel, who was quietly conveying home his _vin de Joigny_.
The black horses, going at a swift pace, alarmed, as they passed, the
timid hack of the _maitre d'hotel_, who, putting his head out at the
window, cried, in a fright, "Take care of my bottles!" [2]

Chapter LVII. The Gallery of Saint-Mande.

Fifty persons were waiting for the superintendent. He did not even take
the time to place himself in the hands of his _valet de chambre_ for a
minute, but from the _perron_ went straight into the _premier salon_.
There his friends were assembled in full chat. The intendant was about
to order supper to be served, but, above all, the Abbe Fouquet watched
for the return of his brother, and was endeavoring to do the honors
of the house in his absence. Upon the arrival of the superintendent, a
murmur of joy and affection was heard; Fouquet, full of affability, good
humor, and munificence, was beloved by his poets, his artists, and his
men of business. His brow, upon which his little court read, as upon
that of a god, all the movements of his soul, and thence drew rules
of conduct,--his brow, upon which affairs of state never impressed a
wrinkle, was this evening paler than usual, and more than one friendly
eye remarked that pallor. Fouquet placed himself at the head of the
table, and presided gayly during supper. He recounted Vatel's expedition
to La Fontaine, he related the history of Menneville and the skinny fowl
to Pelisson, in such a manner that all the table heard it. A tempest of
laughter and jokes ensued, which was only checked by a serious and
even sad gesture from Pelisson. The Abbe Fouquet, not being able to
comprehend why his brother should have led the conversation in that
direction, listened with all his ears, and sought in the countenance
of Gourville, or in that of his brother, an explanation which nothing
afforded him. Pelisson took up the matter:--"Did they mention M.
Colbert, then?" said he.

"Why not?" replied Fouquet;