"The late cardinal's handwriting," said the king.
"Your majesty has an excellent memory," replied Colbert, bowing; "it is an immense advantage for a king who is destined for hard work, to recognize handwritings at the first glance."
The king read Mazarin's letter, and, as its contents are already known to the reader, in consequence of the misunderstanding between Madame de Chevreuse and Aramis, nothing further would be learned if we stated them here again.
"I do not quite understand," said the king, greatly interested.
"Your majesty has not yet acquired the habit of going through the public accounts."
"I see that it refers to money which had been given to M. Fouquet."
"Thirteen millions. A tolerably good sum."
"Yes. Well, and these thirteen millions are wanting to balance the total of the accounts. That is what I do not very well understand. How was this deficit possible?"
"Possible, I do not say; but there is no doubt about the fact that it really is so."
"You say that these thirteen millions are found to be wanting in the accounts?"