Pelisson took up the matter:--"Did they mention M.
Colbert, then ?" said he.
"Why not ?" replied Fouquet; "if true, as it is said to be, that the king has made him his intendant ?" Scarcely had Fouquet uttered these words, with a marked intention, than an explosion broke forth among the guests.
"The miser!" said one.
"The mean, pitiful fellow!" said another.
"The hypocrite!" said a third.
Pelisson exchanged a meaning look with Fouquet.

"Messieurs," said he, "in truth we are abusing a man whom no one knows: it is neither charitable nor reasonable; and here is monsieur le surintendant, who, I am sure, agrees with me." "Entirely," replied Fouquet.

"Let the fat fowls of M.Colbert alone; our business to-day is with the _faisans truffes_ of M.Vatel." This speech stopped the dark cloud which was beginning to throw its shade over the guests.

Gourville succeeded so well in animating the poets with the _vin de Joigny_; the abbe, intelligent as a man who stands in need of his host's money, so enlivened the financiers and the men of the sword, that, amidst the vapors of this joy and the noise of conversation, inquietudes disappeared completely.

The will of Cardinal Mazarin was the text of the conversation at the second course and dessert; then Fouquet ordered bowls of sweetmeats and fountains of liquor to be carried into the _salon_ adjoining the gallery.