Fouquet perceived that the king, instead of reading, was looking at him; he turned half round, therefore, and while continuing his conversation with the queen, faced the king.
"You know, Monsieur Fouquet," said Louis, "how ill M.Mazarin is ?" "Yes, sire, I know that," said Fouquet; "in fact, he is very ill.

I was at my country-house of Vaux when the news reached me; and the affair seemed so pressing that I left at once." "You left Vaux this evening, monsieur ?" "An hour and a half ago, yes, your majesty," said Fouquet, consulting a watch, richly ornamented with diamonds.
"An hour and a half!" said the king, still able to restrain his anger, but not to conceal his astonishment.
"I understand you, sire.

Your majesty doubts my word, and you have reason to do so; but I have really come in that time, though it is wonderful! I received from England three pairs of very fast horses, as I had been assured.

They were placed at distances of four leagues apart, and I tried them this evening.

They really brought me from Vaux to the Louvre in an hour and a half, so your majesty sees I have not been cheated." The queen-mother smiled with something like secret envy.