“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 the conversation.
Fouquet, with the profoundest contempt, did not take the slightest notice of the remark, as if, as far as he was concerned, Colbert had not even thought or said a word.
“Your majesty is aware,” he said, “that I destine my estate at Vaux to receive the most amiable of princes, the most powerful of monarchs.”
“I have given you my promise, monsieur,” said Louis XIV., smiling; “and a king never departs from his word.”
“And I have come now, sire, to inform your majesty that I am ready to obey 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 able to procure your majesty a little pleasure, perhaps even a little forgetfulness of the cares of state.”