ntaine seized upon him, and recited his verses. The
abbe, who was quite innocent of Latin, nodded his head, in cadence, at
every roll which La Fontaine impressed upon his body, according to the
undulations of the dactyls and spondees. While this was going on,
behind the confiture-basins, Fouquet related the event of the day to his
son-in-law, M. de Charost. "We will send the idle and useless to look at
the fireworks," said Pelisson to Gourville, "whilst we converse here."

"So be it," said Gourville, addressing four words to Vatel. The latter
then led towards the gardens the major part of the beaux, the ladies and
the chatterers, whilst the men walked in the gallery, lighted by three
hundred wax-lights, in the sight of all; the admirers of fireworks all
ran away towards the garden. Gourville approached Fouquet, and said:
"Monsieur, we are here."

"All?" said Fouquet.

"Yes,--count." The superintendent counted; there were eight persons.
Pelisson and Gourville walked arm in arm, as if conversing upon vague
and frivolous subjects. Sorel and two officers imitated them, and in an
opposite direction. The Abbe Fouquet walked alone. Fouquet, with M.
de Charost, walked as if entirely absorbed in the conversation of his
son-in-law. "Messieurs," said he, "let no one of you raise his head as
he walks, or appear to pay attention to me; continue walking, we are
alone, listen to me."

A perfect silence ensued, disturbed only by the distant cries of the
joyous guests, from the groves whence they beheld the fireworks. It was
a whimsical spectacle this, of these men walking in groups, as if each
one was occupied about something, whilst lending attention really only
to one amongst them, who, himself, seemed to be speaking only to his
companion. "Messieurs," said Fouquet, "you have, without doubt, remarked
the absence of two of my friends this evening, who were with us on
Wednesday. For God's sake, abbe, do not stop,--it is not necessary to
enable you to listen; walk on, carrying your head in a natural way, and
as you have excellent sight, place yourself at the window, and if any
one returns towards the gallery, give us notice by coughing."

The abbe obeyed.

"I have not observed their absence," said Pelisson, who, at this moment,
was turning his back to Fouquet, and walking the other way.

"I do not see M. Lyodot," said Sorel, "who pays me my pension."

"And I," said the abbe, at the window, "do not see M. d'Eymeris, who
owes me