"Let that make no difference."
Vanel rose, quite bewildered by this offer, which had been so suddenly and unexpectedly made to him. "You are not trifling with me, monseigneur?" he said.
"Stay; you say that M. Gourville has spoken to you about M. Fouquet's post?"
"Yes, and M. Pellisson also."
"Officially so, or only by their own suggestion?"
"These were their very words: 'These parliamentary people are as proud as they are wealthy; they ought to club 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 francs 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."