Page:Louise de la Valliere text.djvu/336

326 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. the surintendant well; the delicacy of the feelings of his heart and the exalted nature of his mind could not any longer surprise him. He confined himself, then, for the moment — intending to resame later an active part in the conversation — to the performance of the difficult part of a man who looks on and listens, in order to learn and under- stand. Vanel was visibly overcome, and advanced into the middle of the cabinet, bowing to everything and everybody. "I am come," he said. "You are exact. Monsieur Vanel," returned Fouquet. "In matters of business, monseigneur," replied Vanel, "I look upon exactitude as a virtue." "Ko doubt, monsieur." "I beg your pardon," interrupted Aramis, indicating Vanel with his finger, but addressing himself to Fouquet; "this is the gentleman, I believe, who has come about the purchase of your appointment?" "Yes, I am," replied Vanel, astonished at the extremely haughty tone with Avhich Aramis had put the question; "but in what way am I to address you, who do me the honor " "Call me monseigneur," replied Aramis dryly. Vanel bowed. "Come, gentlemen, a truce to these ceremonies, let us proceed to the matter itself." "Monseigneur sees," said Vanel, "that I am waiting your pleasure." "On the contrary, I am waiting," replied Fouquet. "What for, may I be permitted to ask, monseigneur?" "I thought that you had perhaps something to say." "Oh," said Vanel to himself, "he has reflected on the matter, and I am lost." But, resuming his courage, he continued, "No, monseigneur, nothing, absolutely nothing more than what I said to you yesterday, and which I am again ready to repeat to you now." "Come, now, tell me frankly. Monsieur Vanel, is not the affair rather a burdensome one for you?" "Certainly, monseigneur, fourteen hundred thousand francs is an important sum." "So important, indeed," said Fouquet, "that I have reflected " "You have been reflecting, do you say, monseigneur?" exclaimed Vanel anxiously. "Yes; that you might not yet be in a position to pur- chase."