“Ah, you have heard something about it, then! Who told you?”
“M. Gourville, M. Pellisson, and others.”
“Very good; if, therefore, M. Fouquet did wish to sell-”
“I could not buy it just yet, since the superintendent will only sell for ready money, and no one has a million and a half to throw down at once.”
Colbert suddenly interrupted the counsellor by an imperious gesture; he had begun to meditate. Observing his superior’s serious attitude, and his perseverance in continuing the conversation on this subject, Vanel awaited the solution without venturing to precipitate it.
“Explain fully to me,” said Colbert, at length, “the privileges of the office of procureur-general.”
“The right of impeaching every French subject who is not a Prince of the blood; the right of quashing all proceedings taken against any Frenchman who is neither King nor Prince. The procureur-general is the arm of the King to strike the evil-doer,- his arm also to extinguish the torch of justice. M. Fouquet, therefore, will be able, by stirring up the parliament, to maintain himself even against the King; and the King also, by humoring M. Fouquet, can get his edicts registered without opposition. The procureur-general can be a very useful or a very dangerous instrument.”
“Vanel, would you like to be procureur-general?” said Colbert, suddenly, softening both his look and his voice.
“I!” exclaimed the latter; “I have already had the honor to represent to you that I want about eleven hundred thousand livres to make up the amount.”
“Borrow that sum from your friends.”
“I have no friends richer than myself.”
“You are an honorable man, Vanel.”
“Ah, Monseigneur, if the world were to think as you do!”
“I think so, and that is quite enough; and if it should be needed, I will be your security.”
“Remember the proverb, Monseigneur.”
“What is that?”
“‘The endorser pays.'”
“Let that make no difference.”
Vanel rose, quite bewildered by this offer, which had been so suddenly and unexpectedly made to him by a man who treated the smallest affairs in a serious spirit. “You are not trifling with me, Monseigneur?” he said.
“Stay! we must act quickly. You say that M. Gourville has spoken to you about M. Fouquet’s post?”
“Yes, and M. Pellisson also.”
“Officially or officiously?”
“These were their words: ‘These parliamentary people are ambitious and wealthy; they ought to get together two or three millions among themselves, to present to their protector and great luminary, M. Fouquet.'”
“And what did you reply?”
“I said that, for my own part, I would give ten thousand livres if necessary.”
“Ah, you like M. Fouquet, then!” exclaimed Colbert, with a look full of hatred.
“No; but M. Fouquet is our chief. He is in debt,- is on the high-road to ruin; and we ought to save the honor of the body of which we are members.”
“This explains to me why M. Fouquet will be always safe and sound so long as he occupies his present post,” replied Colbert.
“Thereupon,” said Vanel, “M. Gourville added: ‘If we were to do anything out of charity to M. Fouquet, it could not be otherwise than most humiliating to him; and he would be sure to refuse it. Let the parliament subscribe among themselves to purchase in a proper manner the post of procureur-general. In that case all would go on well; the honor of our body would be saved, and M. Fouquet’s pride spared.'”
“That is an opening.”
“I considered it so, Monseigneur.”
“Well, M. Vanel, you will go at once, and find out either M. Gourville or M. Pellisson. Do you know any other friend of M. Fouquet?”
“I know M. de la Fontaine very well.”
“La Fontaine, the rhymester?”
“Yes; he used to write verses to my wife, when M. Fouquet was one of our friends.”
“Go to him, then, and try to procure an interview with the superintendent.”
“Willingly- but the sum?”
“On the day and hour when you arrange to settle the matter, M. Vanel, you shall be supplied with the money; so do not make yourself uneasy on that account.”
“Monseigneur, such munificence! You eclipse kings even,- you surpass M. Fouquet himself.”
“Stay a moment! Do not let us mistake each other. I do not make you a present of fourteen hundred thousand livres, M. Vanel, for I have children to provide for; but I will lend you that sum.”