Part 19 (1/2)

The shouts of laughter reached the ears of Fouquet at the moment Aramis opened the door of the study As to Moliere, he had undertaken to order the horses, while Ara ith the superintendent ”Oh, how they are laughing there!” said Fouquet, with a sigh

”Do you not laugh, er now, M d'Herblay The _fete_ is approaching; ”

”Have I not told you that was my business?”

”Yes, you promised me 's _entree_ into Vaux”

Fouquet looked closely at Aramis, and passed the back of his icy hand across his moistened brow Aramis perceived that the superintendent either doubted him, or felt he was powerless to obtain the money How could Fouquet suppose that a poor bishop, ex-abbe, ex-musketeer, could find any?

”Why doubt me?” said Aramis Fouquet smiled and shook his head

”Man of little faith!” added the bishop

”My dear M d'Herblay,” answered Fouquet, ”if I fall--”

”Well; if you 'fall'?”

”I shall, at least, fall fro” Then giving hih to escape from himself, ”Whence came you,” said he, ”my friend?”

”Fro at Percerin's, for I suppose you attach no great importance to our poets' dresses?”

”No; I went to prepare a surprise”

”Surprise?”

”Yes; which you are going to give to the king”

”And will it cost ive Lebrun”

”A painting?--Ah! all the better! And what is this painting to represent?”

”I will tell you; then at the same time, whatever you may say or think of it, I went to see the dresses for our poets”

”Bah! and they will be rich and elegant?”

”Splendid! There will be few great ood People will see the difference there is between the courtiers of wealth and those of friendshi+p”

”Ever generous and grateful, dear prelate”

”In your school”

Fouquet grasped his hand ”And where are you going?” he said

”I aiven a certain letter”

”For whom?”