Louis fixed his eyes with admiration upon that vulgar but expressive face. “You are an honest man, M. Colbert,” said the king.
“That is not a virtue, it is a duty,” replied Colbert, coolly.
“But,” added Louis, “does not the money belong to the family?”
“If this money belonged to the family it would be disposed of in the testament, as the rest of his fortune is. If this money belonged to the family, I, who drew up the deed of donation in favor of your majesty, should have added the sum of thirteen millions to that of forty millions which was offered to you.”
“How!” exclaimed Louis XIV., “was it you who drew up the deed of donation?”
“Yes, sire.”
“And yet the cardinal was attached to you?” added the king ingenuously.
“I had assured his eminence you would by no means accept the gift,” said Colbert in that same quiet manner we have described, and which, even in the common habits of life, had something solemn in it.
Louis passed his hand over his brow. “Oh! how young I am,” murmured he, “to have the command of men.”
Colbert waited the end of this monologue. He saw Louis raise his head. “At what hour shall I send the money to your majesty?” asked he.