Part 78 (1/2)
”That is better Come!” cried Fouquet; ”since they reave the signal, and Fouquet's rowers resumed their task with all the success that could be looked for frohter made a hundred fathoms, than the other, that with the twelve rowers, resumed its rapid course This position lasted all day, without any increase or di Fouquet wished to try the intentions of his persecutor He ordered his rowers to pull towards the shore, as if to effect a landing Colbert's lighter imitated thisdirection By the merest chance, at the spot where Fouquet pretended to wish to land, a stable the flowery banks leading three horses in halters Without doubt the people of the twelve-oared lighter fancied that Fouquet was directing his course to these horses ready for flight, for four or five hter on to the shore, and round on the horse forced the enemy to a demonstration, considered his intention evident, and put his boat in ain Colbert's people returned likewise to theirs, and the course of the two vessels was resu this, Fouquet felt himself threatened closely, and in a prophetic voice--”Well, Gourville,” said he, whisperingly, ”what did I say at our last repast, at neur!”
”These two boats, which follow each other with so , M Colbert and I, a prize for swiftness on the Loire, do they not aptly represent our fortunes; and do you not believe, Gourville, that one of the till be wrecked at Nantes?”
”At least,” objected Gourville, ”there is still uncertainty; you are about to appear at the States; you are about to shohat sort of enius for business are the buckler and sword that will serve to defend you, if not to conquer with The Bretons do not know you; and when they become acquainted with you your cause is won! Oh! let M Colbert look to it well, for his lighter is as o quickly, his faster than yours, it is true; we shall see which will be wrecked first”
Fouquet, taking Gourville's hand--”My friend,” said he, ”everything considered, remember the proverb, 'First come, first served!' Well! M
Colbert takes care not to pass ht; the two lighters held their course as far as Nantes, watching each other When the surintendant landed, Gourville hoped he should be able to seek refuge at once, and have the relays prepared
But, at the landing, the second lighter joined the first, and Colbert, approaching Fouquet, saluted him on the quay with nificant, so public, that their result was the bringing of the whole population upon La Fosse Fouquet was coreatness he had obligations towards hiht that his fall should crush some of his enemies Colbert was there--so much the worse for Colbert The surintendant, therefore, coant semi-closure of the eyes peculiar to him--”What! is that you, M Colbert?”
”To offer you neur,” said the latter
”Were you in that lighter?”--pointing to the one with twelve rowers
”Yes, neur”
”Of twelve rowers?” said Fouquet; ”what luxury, M Colbert For a neur!”--and Colbert blushed
”This is a voyage that will cost those who have to pay for it dear, Monsieur l'Intendant!” said Fouquet ”But you have, happily, arrived!--You see, however,” added he, a ht rowers, arrived before you” And he turned his back towards hi hihter had escaped the notice of the first At least he did not give hihtened Colbert, so annoyingly attacked, did not give way
”I have not been quick, neur,” he replied, ”because I followed your example whenever you stopped”
”And why did you do that, Monsieur Colbert?” cried Fouquet, irritated by the base audacity; ”as you had a superior crew to mine, why did you not either join me or passto the ground
Fouquet got into a carriage which the city had sent to him, we know not why or how, and he repaired to _la Maison de Nantes_, escorted by a vast crowd of people, who for several days had been agog with expectation of a convocation of the States Scarcely was he installed when Gourville went out to order horses on the route to Poitiers and Vannes, and a boat at Paimboef He performed these various operations with so enerosity, that never was Fouquet, then laboring under an attack of fever, more nearly saved, except for the counteraction of that immense disturber of huht, that the king was coreat haste on post horses, and would arrive in ten or twelve hours at the latest The people, while waiting for the king, were greatly rejoiced to see the nan, their captain, and quartered in the castle, of which they occupied all the posts, in quality of guard of honor M d'Artagnan, as very polite, presented his of the surintendant to pay his respectful coh the h he was in such pain as to be bathed in sweat, he would receive M
d'Artagnan, as delighted with that honor, as will be seen by the conversation they had together
Chapter xxxVIII Friendly Advice
Fouquet had gone to bed, like a s to life, and wishes to economize, as much as possible, that slender tissue of existence, of which the shocks and frictions of this world so quickly wear out the tenuity D'Artagnan appeared at the door of this chamber, and was saluted by the superintendent with a very affable ”Good day”
”_Bon jour!_ h the journey?”
”Tolerably well, thank you”
”And the fever?”