Chapter LVI. Rivals in Politics.
On his return from the promenade, which had been so prolific in poeticaleffusions, and in which every one had paid his or her tribute to theMuses, as the poets of the period used to say, the king found M. Fouquetwaiting for an audience. M. Colbert had lain in wait for his majesty inthe corridor, and followed him like a jealous and watchful shadow;M. Colbert, with his square head, his vulgar and untidy, though richcostume, somewhat resembled a Flemish gentleman after he had beenover-indulging in his national drink--beer. Fouquet, at sight of hisenemy, remained perfectly unmoved, and during the whole of the scenewhich followed scrupulously resolved to observe a line of conductparticularly difficult to the man of superior mind, who does not evenwish to show his contempt, for fear of doing his adversary too muchhonor. Colbert made no attempt to conceal his insolent expression of thevulgar joy he felt. In his opinion, M. Fouquet's was a game very badlyplayed and hopelessly lost, although not yet finished. Colbert belongedto that school of politicians who think cleverness alone worthy oftheir admiration, and success the only thing worth caring for. Colbert,moreover, who was not simply an envious and jealous man, but who had theking's interest really at heart, because he was thoroughly imbued withthe highest sense of probity in all matters of figures and accounts,could well afford to assign as a pretext for his conduct, that in hatingand doing his utmost to ruin M. Fouquet, he had nothing in view but thewelfare of the state and the dignity of the crown. None of these detailsescaped Fouquet's observation; through his enemy's thick, bushy brows,and despite the restless movement of his eyelids, he could, by merelylooking at his eyes, penetrate to the very bottom of Colbert's heart,and he read to what an unbounded extent hate towards himself and triumphat his approaching fall existed there. But as, in observing everything,he wished to remain himself impenetrable, he composed his features,smiled with the charmingly sympathetic smile that was peculiarly hisown, and saluted the king with the most dignified and graceful ease andelasticity of manner. "Sire," he said, "I perceive by your majesty'sjoyous air that you have been gratified with the promenade."
"Most gratified, indeed, monsieur le surintendant, most gratified. Youwere very wrong not to come with us, as I invited you to do."
"I was working, sire," replied the superintendent, who did not evenseem to take the trouble to turn aside his head in merest respect ofColbert's presence.
"Ah! M. Fouquet," cried the king, "there is nothing like the country. Ishould be delighted to live in the country always, in the open air andunder the trees."
"I should hope that your majesty is not yet weary of the throne," saidFouquet.
"No; but thrones of soft turf are very pleasant."
"Your majesty gratifies my utmost wishes in speaking in that manner, forI have a request to submit to you."
"On whose behalf, monsieur?"
"Oh behalf of the nymphs of Vaux, sire."
"Ah! ah!" said Louis XIV.
"Your majesty, too, once deigned to make me a promise," said Fouquet.
"Yes, I remember it."
"The _fete_ at Vaux, the celebrated _fete_, I think, it was, sire,"said Colbert, endeavoring to show his importance by taking part in theconversation.
Fouquet, with the profoundest contempt, did not take the slightestnotice of the remark, as if, as far as he was concerned, Colbert had noteven thought or said a word.
"Your majesty is aware," he said, "that I destine my estate at Vaux toreceive the most amiable of princes, the most powerful of monarchs."
"I have given you my promise, monsieur," said Louis XIV., smiling; "anda king never departs from his word."
"And I have come now, sire, to inform your majesty that I am ready toobey your orders in every respect."
"Do you promise me many wonders, monsieur le surintendant?" said Louis,looking at Colbert.
"Wonders? Oh! no, sire. I do not undertake that. I hope to be ableto procure your majesty a little pleasure, perhaps even a littleforgetfulness of the cares of state."
"Nay, nay, M. Fouquet," returned the king; "I insist upon the word'wonders.' You are a magician, I believe; we all know the power youwield; we also know that you can find gold even when there is none to befound elsewhere; so much so, indeed, that people say you coin it."
Fouquet felt that the shot was discharged from a double quiver, andthat the king had launched an arrow from his own bow as well as one fromColbert's. "Oh!" said he, laughingly, "the people know perfectly wellout of what mine I procure the gold; and they know it only too well,perhaps; besides," he added, "I can assure your majesty that the golddestined to pay the expenses of the _fete_ at Vaux will cost neitherblood nor tears; hard labor it may, perhaps, but that can be paid for."
Louis paused quite confused. He wished to look at Colbert; Colbert, too,wished to reply to him; a glance as swift as an eagle's, a king-likeglance, indeed, which Fouquet darted at the latter, arrested thewords upon his lips. The king, who had by this time recovered hisself-possession, turned towards Fouquet, saying, "I presume, therefore,I am now to consider myself formally invited?"
"Yes, sire, if your majesty will condescend so far as to accept myinvitation."
"What day have you fixed?"
"Any day your majesty may find most convenient."
"You speak like an enchanter who has but to conjure up in actualitythe wildest fancies, Monsieur Fouquet. I could not say so much, indeed,myself."
"Your majesty will do, whenever you please, everything that a monarchcan and ought to do. The king of France has servants at his biddingwho are able to do anything on his behalf, to accomplish everything togratify his pleasures."
Colbert tried to look at the superintendent, in order to see whetherthis remark was an approach to less hostile sentiments on his part; butFouquet had not even looked at his enemy, and Colbert hardly seemedto exist as far as he was concerned. "Very good, then," said the king."Will a week hence suit you?"
"Perfectly well, sire."
"This is Tuesday; if I give you until next Sunday week, will that besufficient?"
"The delay which your majesty deigns to accord me will greatly aid thevarious works which my architects have in hand for the purpose of addingto the amusement of your majesty and your friends."
"By the by, speaking of my friends," resumed the king; "how do youintend to treat them?"
"The king is master everywhere, sire; your majesty will draw up your ownlist and give your own orders. All those you may deign to invite will bemy guests, my honored guests, indeed."
"I thank you!" returned the king, touched by the noble thought expressedin so noble a tone.
Fouquet, therefore, took leave of Louis XIV., after a few words had beenadded with regard to the details of certain matters of business. He feltthat Colbert would remain behind with the king, that they would bothconverse about him, and that neither of them would spare him in theleast degree. The satisfaction of being able to give a last andterrible blow to his enemy seemed to him almost like a compensationfor everything they were about to subject him to. He turned back againimmediately, as soon, indeed, as he had reached the door, and addressingthe king, said, "I was forgetting that I had to crave your majesty'sforgiveness."
"In what respect?" said the king, graciously.
"For having committed a serious fault without perceiving it."
"A fault! You! Ah! Monsieur Fouquet, I shall be unable to do otherwisethan forgive you. In what way or against whom have you been foundwanting?"
"Against every sense of propriety, sire. I forgot to inform your majestyof a circumstance that has lately occurred of some little importance."
"What is it?"
Colbert trembled; he fancied that he was about to frame a denunciationagainst him. His conduct had been unmasked. A single syllable fromFouquet, a single proof formally advanced, and before the youthfulloyalty of feeling which guided Louis XIV., Colbert's favor woulddisappear at once; the latter trembled, therefore, lest so daring a blowmight overthrow his whole scaffold; in point of fact, the opp
ortunitywas so admirably suited to be taken advantage of, that a skillful,practiced player like Aramis would not have let it slip. "Sire," saidFouquet, with an easy, unconcerned air, "since you have had the kindnessto forgive me, I am perfectly indifferent about my confession; thismorning I sold one of the official appointments I hold."
"One of your appointments," said the king, "which?"
Colbert turned perfectly livid. "That which conferred upon me, sire,a grand gown, and a stern air of gravity; the appointment ofprocureur-general."
The king involuntarily uttered a loud exclamation and looked at Colbert,who, with his face bedewed with perspiration, felt almost on the pointof fainting. "To whom have you sold this department, Monsieur Fouquet?"inquired the king.
Colbert was obliged to lean against a column of the fireplace. "To acouncilor belonging to the parliament, sire, whose name is Vanel."
"Vanel?"
"Yes, sire, a particular friend of the intendant Colbert," addedFouquet; letting every word fall from his lips with the most inimitablenonchalance, and with an admirably assumed expression of forgetfulnessand ignorance. And having finished, and having overwhelmed Colbertbeneath the weight of this superiority, the superintendent again salutedthe king and quitted the room, partially revenged by the stupefaction ofthe king and the humiliation of the favorite.
"Is it really possible," said the king, as soon as Fouquet haddisappeared, "that he has sold that office?"
"Yes, sire," said Colbert, meaningly.
"He must be mad," the king added.
Colbert this time did not reply; he had penetrated the king's thought,a thought which amply revenged him for the humiliation he had just beenmade to suffer; his hatred was augmented by a feeling of bitter jealousyof Fouquet; and a threat of disgrace was now added to the plan he hadarranged for his ruin. Colbert felt perfectly assured that for thefuture, between Louis XIV. and himself, their hostile feelings and ideaswould meet with no obstacles, and that at the first fault committed byFouquet, which could be laid hold of as a pretext, the chastisementso long impending would be precipitated. Fouquet had thrown aside hisweapons of defense, and hate and jealousy had picked them up. Colbertwas invited by the king to the _fete_ at Vaux; he bowed like a manconfident in himself, and accepted the invitation with the air ofone who almost confers a favor. The king was about writing downSaint-Aignan's name on his list of royal commands, when the usherannounced the Comte de Saint-Aignan. As soon as the royal "Mercury"entered, Colbert discreetly withdrew.