That is a good occasion for your majesty to demand a million of M.Fouquet.

M.Fouquet, who pays twenty thousand livres down when he need not pay more than five thousand, will easily find that million when your majesty demands it." "That is all very well; I _will_ demand it," said Louis.
"If your majesty will sign the _ordonnance_ I will have the money got together myself." And Colbert pushed a paper before the king, and presented a pen to him.
At that moment the usher opened the door and announced monsieur le surintendant.

Louis turned pale.

Colbert let the pen fall, and drew back from the king, over whom he extended his black wings like an evil spirit.

The superintendent made his entrance like a man of the court, to whom a single glance was sufficient to make him appreciate the situation.