“So be it, M. Fouquet, as you desire; you shall have a holiday to-morrow, you shall have the physician, and shall be restored to health.”
“Thanks,” said Fouquet, bowing. Then, opening his game, “Shall I not have the happiness of conducting your Majesty to my residence of Belle-Isle?” And he looked Louis full in the face to judge of the effect of such a proposal.
The King blushed again, “Do you know,” replied he, endeavoring to smile, “that you have just said, ‘My residence of Belle-Isle’?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Well, do you not remember,” continued the King, in the same cheerful tone, “that you gave me Belle-Isle?”
“That is true again, Sire; only, as you have not taken it, you will come with me and take possession of it.”
“I mean to do so.”
“That was, then, your Majesty’s intention as well as mine; and I cannot express to your Majesty how happy and proud I have been at seeing all the King’s military household come from Paris for this taking possession.”
The King stammered out that he did not bring the Musketeers for that purpose alone.
“Oh, I am convinced of that!” said Fouquet, warmly; “your Majesty knows very well that you have nothing to do but to come alone with a cane in your hand to bring to the ground all the fortifications of Belle-Isle.”
“Peste!” cried the King; “I do not wish that those fine fortifications, whose erection cost so much, should fall at all. No,- let them stand against the Dutch and the English. You would not guess what I want to see at Belle-Isle, M. Fouquet; it is the pretty peasants and women of the lands on the sea-shore, who dance so well and are so seducing with their scarlet petticoats! I have heard great boast of your vassals, Monsieur the Superintendent; well, let me have a sight of them.”
“Whenever your Majesty pleases.”
“Have you any means of transport? It shall be to-morrow, if you like.”
The superintendent felt this stroke, which was not adroit, and replied, “No, Sire; I was ignorant of your Majesty’s wish. Above all, I was ignorant of your haste to see Belle-Isle; and I am prepared with nothing.”
“You have a boat of your own, nevertheless?”
“I have five; but they are all in the port or at Paimboeuf, and to join them or bring them hither we should require at least twenty-four hours. Have I any occasion to send a courier? Must I do so?”
“Wait a little; put an end to the fever,- wait till to-morrow.”
“That is true; who knows but that by to-morrow we may not have a hundred other ideas?” replied Fouquet, now perfectly convinced and very pale.
The King started and stretched his hand out towards his little bell, but Fouquet prevented his ringing. “Sire,” said he, “I have an ague,- I am trembling with cold. If I remain a moment longer, I shall most likely faint. I request your Majesty’s permission to go and conceal myself beneath the bed-clothes.”
“Indeed, you are all in a shiver; it is painful to behold! Go, M. Fouquet, go. I will send to inquire after you.”
“Your Majesty overwhelms me with kindness. In an hour I shall be better.”
“I will call some one to reconduct you,” said the King.
“As you please, Sire; I would gladly take some one’s arm.”
“M. d’Artagnan!” cried the King, ringing his little bell.
“Oh, Sire!” interrupted Fouquet, smiling in such a manner as made the King feel cold, “would you give me the captain of your Musketeers to take me to my lodgings? A very equivocal kind of honor that, Sire! A simple footman, I beg.”
“And why, M. Fouquet? M. d’Artagnan conducts me often and well!”
“Yes, but when he conducts you, Sire, it is to obey you; while I-”
“Go on!”
“If I am obliged to return home supported by the leader of the Musketeers, it would be everywhere said you had had me arrested.”
“Arrested!” replied the King, who became paler than Fouquet himself- “arrested! oh!”
“And why would they not say so?” continued Fouquet, still smiling; “and I would lay a wager there would be people found wicked enough to laugh at it.” This sally disconcerted the monarch. Fouquet was skillful enough, or fortunate enough, to make Louis XIV recoil before the appearance of the fact he meditated. M. d’Artagnan, when he appeared, received an order to desire a musketeer to accompany the superintendent.