"How would you qualify all these projects, M. Colbert?"
"The projects of M. Fouquet, sire?"
"Yes."
"They are called crimes of lese majeste."
"And what is done to criminals guilty of lese majeste?"
"They are arrested, tried, and punished."
"You are quite certain that M. Fouquet has conceived the idea of the crime you impute to him?"
"I can say more, sire; there is even a commencement of the execution of it."
"Well, then, I return to that which I was saying, M. Colbert."
"And you were saying, sire?"
"Give me counsel."
"Pardon me, sire; but in the first place, I have something to add."
"Say--what?"
"An evident, palpable, material proof of treason."
"And what is that?"
"I have just learnt that M. Fouquet is fortifying Belle-Isle."
"Ah, indeed!"
"Yes, sire."
"Are you sure?"
"Perfectly. Do you know, sire, what soldiers there are in Belle-Isle?"
"No, ma foi! Do you?"
"I am ignorant, likewise, sire; I should therefore propose to your majesty to send somebody to Belle-Isle?"
"Who?"
"Me, for instance."
"And what would you do at Belle-Isle?"
"Inform myself whether, after the example of the ancient feudal lords, M. Fouquet was battlementing his walls."
"And with what purpose could he do that?"
"With the purpose of defending himself someday against his king."
"But, if it be thus, M. Colbert," said Louis, "we must immediately do as you say; M. Fouquet must be arrested."
"That is impossible."
"I thought I had already told you, monsieur, that I suppressed that word in my service."
"The service of your majesty cannot prevent M. Fouquet from being surintendant-general."
"Well?"
"That, in consequence of holding that post, he has for him all the parliament, as he has all the army by his largesses, literature by his favors, and the noblesse by his presents."
"That is to say, then, that I can do nothing against M. Fouquet?"
"Absolutely nothing,--at least at present, sire."
"You are a sterile counselor, M. Colbert."
"Oh, no, sire; for I will not confine myself to pointing out the peril to your majesty."
"Come, then, where shall we begin to undermine this Colossus; let us see;" and his majesty began to laugh bitterly.