Fouquet! I wrote to him at three o'clock, inviting him to be at Fontainebleau the following day, and he arrives at Fontainebleau at two o'clock in the morning! This is, indeed, zeal!" exclaimed the king, delighted to see himself so promptly obeyed.

"On the contrary, M.
Fouquet shall have his audience.

I summoned him, and will receive him.
Let him be introduced.

As for you, count, pursue your inquiries, and be here to-morrow." The king placed his finger on his lips; and Saint-Aignan, his heart brimful of happiness, hastily withdrew, telling the usher to introduce M.Fouquet, who, thereupon, entered the king's apartment.

Louis rose to receive him.
"Good evening, M.Fouquet," he said, smiling graciously; "I congratulate you on your punctuality; and yet my message must have reached you late ?" "At nine in the evening, sire." "You have been working very hard lately, M.Fouquet, for I have been informed that you have not left your rooms at Saint-Mande during the last three or four days." "It is perfectly true, your majesty, that I have kept myself shut up for the past three days," replied Fouquet.
"Do you know, M.Fouquet, that I had a great many things to say to you ?" continued the king, with a most gracious air.
"Your majesty overwhelms me, and since you are so graciously disposed towards me, will you permit me to remind you of the promise made to grant an audience ?" "Ah, yes! some church dignitary, who thinks he has to thank me for something, is it not ?" "Precisely so, sire.