"Yes, sire, a very able man," repeated Colbert, bowing.
"But if M.Fouquet is an able man, and, in spite of that ability, if money be wanting, whose fault is it ?" "I do not accuse, sire, I verify." "That is well; make out your accounts, and present them to me.

There is a deficit, you say?
A deficit may be temporary; credit returns and funds are restored." "No, sire." "Upon this year, perhaps, I understand that; but upon next year ?" "Next year is eaten as bare as the current year." "But the year after, then ?" "Will be just like next year." "What do you tell me, Monsieur Colbert ?" "I say there are four years engaged beforehand." "They must have a loan, then." "They must have three, sire." "I will create offices to make them resign, and the salary of the posts shall be paid into the treasury." "Impossible, sire, for there have already been creations upon creations of offices, the provisions of which are given in blank, so that the purchasers enjoy them without filling them.

That is why your majesty cannot make them resign.

Further, upon each agreement M.Fouquet has made an abatement of a third, so that the people have been plundered, without your majesty profiting by it." The king started.

"Explain me that, M.Colbert," he said.
"Let your majesty set down clearly your thought, and tell me what you wish me to explain." "You are right, clearness is what you wish, is it not ?" "Yes, sire, clearness.