Colbert," said he, accentuating the financier's name, "that is not the way I understood the matter; I do not wish to make use, against any of my servants, of a means of pressure which may oppress him and fetter his services.

In eight days M.Fouquet has furnished six millions; that is a good round sum." Colbert turned pale.

"And yet," he said, "your majesty did not use this language some time ago, when the news about Belle-Isle arrived, for instance." "You are right, M.Colbert." "Nothing, however, has changed since then; on the contrary, indeed." "In my thoughts, monsieur, everything has changed." "Does your majesty then no longer believe the disloyal attempt ?" "My affairs concern myself alone, monsieur; and I have already told you I transact them without interference." "Then, I perceive," said Colbert, trembling with anger and fear, "that I have had the misfortune to fall into disgrace with your majesty." "Not at all; you are, on the contrary, most agreeable to me." "Yet, sire," said the minister, with a certain affected bluntness, so successful when it was a question of flattering Louis's self-esteem, "what use is there in being agreeable to your majesty, if one can no longer be of any use ?" "I reserve your services for a better occasion; and believe me, they will only be the better appreciated." "Your majesty's plan, then, in this affair, is--" "You want money, M.Colbert ?" "Seven hundred thousand francs, sire." "You will take them from my private treasure." Colbert bowed.

"And," added Louis, "as it seems a difficult matter for you, notwithstanding your economy, to defray, with so limited a sum, the expenses which I intend to incur, I will at once sign an order for three millions." The king took a pen and signed an order immediately, then handed it to Colbert.

"Be satisfied, M.Colbert, the plan I have adopted is one worthy of a king," said Louis XIV., who pronounced these words with all the majesty he knew how to assume in such circumstances; and dismissed Colbert for the purpose of giving an audience to his tailors.
The order issued by the king was known throughout the whole of Fontainebleau; it was already known, too, that the king was trying on his costume, and that the ballet would be danced in the evening.