"The king has money, then?" asked Aramis.
"I suppose so, for he has not asked me for any more."
"Nay, more than that, I had thought he would have spoken to me about the _fete_ at Vaux, but he never said a word about it."
"You must think the king's disposition a very cruel one, Monsieur d'Herblay."
"He is young, and therefore his disposition is a kind one."
"He is young, and either he is weak, or his passions are strong; and Monsieur Colbert holds his weaknesses and his passions in his villainous grasp."
"My only influence with the king has been through the money I commanded, and now I am a ruined man."
"What do you mean by 'not so?' Do you know my affairs better than myself?"
"If he were to request this _fete_ to be given?"
"Oh, if you only knew at what a cost I procured the last supply!"
"Upon my word, D'Herblay," said Fouquet, "your confidence alarms me more than the king's displeasure. Who can you possibly be, after all?"
"You know me well enough, I should think."
"Of course; but what is it you are aiming at?"
"I wish to see upon the throne of France a king devoted to Monsieur Fouquet, and I wish Monsieur Fouquet to be devoted to me."
"Oh!" exclaimed Fouquet, pressing his hand, "as for belonging to you. I am yours entirely: but believe me, my dear D'Herblay, you are deceiving yourself."
"The king will never become devoted to me."
"I do not remember to have said that the king would be devoted to you."
"Why, on the contrary, you have this moment said so."
"No, on the contrary, it is quite different."
"You will do so shortly then. Suppose, for instance, the king in question were to be a very different person to Louis XIV."
"Yes, who is indebted for everything to you."
"You are mad, D'Herblay! There is no man living besides Louis XIV. who can sit on the throne of France. I see none, not one."
"Unless it be Monsieur," said Fouquet, looking at Aramis uneasily, "yet Monsieur--"
"But how can it be that a prince not of the royal line, that a prince without any right--"
"My king, or rather your king, will be everything that is necessary, be assured of that."
"Be careful, Monsieur d'Herblay; you make my blood run cold, and my head swim."
Aramis smiled. "There is but little occasion for that," he replied.