Chapter 21 - Page 2

diplomacy was of so prodigious a character, remained incapable of uttering a single syllable, and equally incapable of thought or movement. D’Artagnan fancied that these two men had something to say to each other, and he was about to yield to that feeling of instinctive politeness which hurries a man towards the door when he feels his presence is an inconvenience for others; but his eager curiosity, spurred on by so many mysteries, counselled him to remain.

Aramis thereupon turned towards him, and said in a quiet tone, “You will not forget, my friend, the King’s order respecting those whom he intends to receive this morning on rising.” These words were clear enough, and the musketeer understood them; he therefore bowed to Fouquet, and then to Aramis,- to the latter with a slight admixture of ironical respect,- and disappeared.

No sooner had he left than Fouquet, whose impatience had hardly been able to wait for that moment, darted towards the door to close it; and then returning to the bishop, he said, “My dear d’Herblay, I think it now high time you should explain to me what has passed, for, in plain and honest truth, I do not understand anything.”

“We will explain all that to you,” said Aramis, sitting down, and making Fouquet sit down also. “Where shall I begin?”

“With this, first of all. Why does the King set me at liberty?”

“You ought rather to ask me what was his reason for having you arrested.”

“Since my arrest I have had time to think it over, and my idea is that it arises out of some slight feeling of jealousy. My fête put M. Colbert out of temper, and M. Colbert discovered some cause of complaint against me,- Belle-Isle, for instance.”

“No; there is no question at all just now of Belle-Isle.”

“What is it, then?”

“Do you remember those receipts for thirteen millions which M. de Mazarin contrived to get stolen from you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, you are already pronounced to be a public robber.”

“Good heavens!”

“Oh, that is not all. Do you also remember that letter you wrote to La Valliere?”

“Alas! yes.”

“And that proclaims you a traitor and a suborner.”

“Why should he have pardoned me, then?”

“We have not yet arrived at that part of our argument. I wish you to be quite convinced of the fact itself. Observe this well: the King knows you to be guilty of an appropriation of public funds. Oh, of course I know that you have done nothing of the kind; but at all events the King has not seen the receipts, and he cannot do otherwise than believe you criminal.”

“I beg your