"Gentlemen, I should wish to issue my invitations; but you know that wherever the king goes, the king is in his own palace; it is by his majesty, therefore, that you must be invited." A murmur of delight immediately arose.

Fouquet bowed and left.
"Proud and dauntless man," thought Colbert, "you accept, and yet you know it will cost you ten millions." "You have ruined me," whispered Fouquet, in a low tone, to Aramis.
"I have saved you," replied the latter, whilst Fouquet ascended the flight of steps and inquired whether the king was still visible..