"You have just done much for me, sire," said he, "that is, for my family." "Say no more about that," said the king.
"Well!" continued Mazarin, "I shall give you something in exchange for these forty millions you have refused so royally." Louis XIV.

indicated by a movement that these flatteries were displeasing to him.

"I shall give you a piece of advice," continued Mazarin; "yes, a piece of advice--advice more precious than the forty millions." "My lord cardinal!" interrupted Louis.
"Sire, listen to this advice." "I am listening." "Come nearer, sire, for I am weak!--nearer, sire, nearer!" The king bent over the dying man.

"Sire," said Mazarin, in so low a tone that the breath of his words arrived only like a recommendation from the tomb in the attentive ears of the king--"Sire, never have a prime minister." Louis drew back astonished.

The advice was a confession--a treasure, in fact, was that sincere confession of Mazarin.