Part 80 (1/2)
Fouquet heaved a last sigh, clireat was his weakness, and went to the castle, escorted by D'Artagnan, whose politeness was not less terrifying this ti and cheerful
Chapter xxxIX How the King, Louis XIV, Played His Little Part
As Fouquet was alighting froe, to enter the castle of Nantes, a reatest respect, and gave hinan endeavored to prevent thisto Fouquet, and pushed hiiven to the surintendant Fouquet opened the letter and read it, and instantly a vague terror, which D'Artagnan did not fail to penetrate, was painted on the countenance of the first minister
Fouquet put the paper into the portfolio which he had under his arnan, through the s of the donjon stairs, saw, as he went up behind Fouquet, theround hins to several persons, who disappeared in the adjacent streets, after having thenals Fouquet was made to wait for a moment on the terrace of which we have spoken,--a terrace which abutted on the little corridor, at the end of which the cabinet of the king was located Here D'Artagnan passed on before the surintendant, whom, till that time, he had respectfully accompanied, and entered the royal cabinet
”Well?” asked Louis XIV, who, on perceiving hireen cloth
”The order is executed, sire”
”And Fouquet?”
”Monsieur le surintendant follows nan
”In tenD'Artagnan again with a gesture The latter retired; but had scarcely reached the corridor at the extre for hi's bell
”Did he not appear astonished?” asked the king
”Who, sire?”
”_Fouquet_,” replied the king, without saying monsieur, a peculiarity which confirmed the captain of the musketeers in his suspicions
”No, sire,” replied he
”That's well!” And a second tinan
Fouquet had not quitted the terrace where he had been left by his guide
He reperused his note, conceived thus:
”Soainst you Perhaps they will not dare to carry it out at the castle; it will be on your return home The house is already surrounded byfor you behind the esplanade!”
Fouquet recognized the writing and zeal of Gourville Not being willing that, if any evil happened to himself, this paper should co it into a thousand morsels, spread about by the wind fronan found hi of the last scraps in space
”Monsieur,” said he, ”the king awaits you”
Fouquet walked with a deliberate step along the little corridor, where MM de Brienne and Rose were at work, whilst the Duc de Saint-Aignan, seated on a chair, likewise in the corridor, appeared to be waiting for orders, with feverish ie to Fouquet that MM Brienne, Rose, and de Saint-Aignan, in general so attentive and obsequious, should scarcely take the least notice, as he, the surintendant, passed But how could he expect to find it otherwise a but _Fouquet?_ He raised his head, deter bravely in the face, and entered the king's apartment, where a little bell, which we already know, had already announced hi, nodded to him, and with interest: ”Well! how are you, Monsieur Fouquet?” said he
”I ah fever,” replied the surintendant; ”but I a's service”
”That is well; the States assemble to-morrow; have you a speech ready?”
Fouquet looked at the king with astonishment ”I have not, sire,”
replied he; ”but I will improvise one I am too well acquainted with affairs to feel any embarrassment I have only one question to ask; will your majesty permit me?”