frighten me. You, so serious, so collected; you who know the world we live in so well. Is it, then, important?"
"Oh, very important!"
"In the first place, how did you come here?"
"You shall know that presently; but, first, to something of more consequence."
"Speak, marquise, speak! I implore you, have pity on my impatience."
"Do you know that Colbert is made intendant of the finances?"
"Bah! Colbert, little Colbert?"
"Yes, Colbert, little Colbert."
"Mazarin's factotum?"
"The same."
"Well, what do you see so terrific in that, dear marquise? Little Colbert is intendant; that is astonishing, I confess, but is not terrific."
"Do you think the king has given, without a pressing motive, such a place to one you call a little cuistre?"
"In the first place, is it positively true that the king has given it to him?"
"It is so said."
"Ay, but who says so?"
"Everybody."
"Everybody? that is nobody; mention some one likely to be well informed who says so."
"Madame Vanel."
"Ah! now you begin to frighten me in earnest," said Fouquet, laughing; "if any one is well informed, or ought to be well informed, it is the person you name."
"Do not speak ill of poor Marguerite, Monsieur Fouquet, for she still loves you."
"Bah! indeed? That is scarcely credible. I thought little Colbert, as you said just now, had passed over that love, and left the impression upon it of a spot of ink or a stain of grease."
"Fouquet! Fouquet! Is this the way you always are for the poor women you desert?"
"Why, you surely are not going to undertake the defense of Madame Vanel?"
"Yes, I will undertake it; for, I repeat, she loves you still, and the proof is she saves you."
"But your interposition, marquise; that is very cunning on her part. No angel could be more agreeable to me. or could lead me more certainly to salvation. But, let me ask you, do you know Marguerite?"
