Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/506

494 THE VICOMTE DE BRA«ELONNE. "For an aim very easy to seize," replied Fouquet. "Yovi majesty was on cool terms with Great Britain. "Yes; but since the restoration of King Charles II. I have formed an alliance with him." "A month since, sire, your majesty has truly said; but is more than six months since the fortifications of BeP'*- lsle have been begun." "Then they have become useless." "Sire, fortifications are never useless. I fortified Belle* Isle against Messieurs Monk and Lambert, and all those London citizens who were playing at soldiers. Belle-Isle will be ready fortified against the Dutch, against whom either England or your majesty cannot fail to make war." The king was again silent, and looked under at Colbert. "Belle-Isle, I believe," added Louis, "is yours, Monsieui Fouquet?" "No, sire." "Whose then?" "Your majesty's." Colbert was seized with as much terror as if a gulf had opened beneath his feet. Louis started with admiration, either at the genius or the devotion of Fouquet. "Explain yourself, monsieur," said he. "Nothing more easy, sire. Belle-Isle is one of my estates; I have fortified it at my own expense. But as nothing in the world can oppose a subject making an humble present to his king, I offer your majesty the proprietorship of the estate, of which you will leave me the usufruct. Belle-Isle, as a place of war, ought to be occupied by the king. Your majesty will be able, henceforth, to keep a safe garrison there." Colbert felt almost sinking down upon the floor. To keep himself from falling he was obliged to hold by the columns of the wainscoting. "This is a piece of great skill in the art of war that you have exhibited here, monsieur," said Louis. "Sire, the initiative did not come from me," replied Fou- quet; "many officers have inspired me with it. The plans themselves have been made by one of the most distinguished engineers." "His name?" "Monsieur du Valon." "Monsieur du Valon?" resumed Louis; "I do not know him. It is much to be lamented, Monsieur Colbert," con- tinued he, "that 1 do not know the names of the men of