88.] Fouquet, who claimed the jurisdiction of the Parliament, had at first refused to answer the interrogatory; it was determined to conduct his case "as if he were dumb," but his friends had him advised not to persist in his silence.

The courage and presence of mind of the accused more than once embarrassed his judges.

The ridiculous scheme which had been discovered behind a looking-glass in Fouquet's country-house was read; the instructions given to his friends in case of his arrest seemed to foreshadow a rebellion; Fouquet listened, with his eyes bent upon the crucifix.

"You cannot be ignorant that this is a state-crime," said the chancellor.

"I confess that it is outrageous, sir," replied the accused; "but it is not a state-crime.