The legacy of the cardinal to the young king was composed of six words only, but those six words, as Mazarin had said, were worth forty millions.

Louis remained for an instant bewildered.

As for Mazarin, he appeared only to have said something quite natural.

A little scratching was heard along the curtains of the alcove.

Mazarin understood: "Yes, yes!" cried he, warmly, "yes, sire, I recommend to you a wise man, an honest man, and a clever man." "Tell me his name, my lord." "His name is yet almost unknown, sire; it is M.Colbert, my attendant.
Oh! try him," added Mazarin, in an earnest voice; "all that he has predicted has come to pass; he has a safe glance, he is never mistaken either in things or in men--which is more surprising still.