“That monsieur le cardinal has just expired, sire; and that I bring your majesty his last adieu.”
The king remained pensive for a minute; and during that minute he looked attentively at Colbert;—it was evident that the cardinal’s last words were in his mind. “Are you, then, M. Colbert?” asked he.
“Yes, sire.”
“His faithful servant, as his eminence himself told me?”
“Yes, sire.”
“The depositary of many of his secrets?”
“Of all of them.”
“The friends and servants of his eminence will be dear to me, monsieur, and I shall take care that you are well placed in my employment.”
Colbert bowed.
“You are a financier, monsieur, I believe?”