"The only proper punishment for him would be rope and gallows," exclaimed M.Pussort, the most violent of the whole court against the accused; "but, in consideration of the offices he has held, and the distinguished relatives he has, I relent so far as to accept the opinion of M.de Sainte-Helene." "What say you to this moderation ?" writes Madame de Sevigne to M.de Pomponne, like herself a faithful friend of Fouquet's: "it is because he is Colbert's uncle, and was objected to, that he was inclined for such handsome treatment.

As for me, I am beside myself when I think of such infamy.

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