“By necessity, sire,” replied Colbert, coldly.
“Necessity!—a great word,” murmured the young king.
“A great goddess, sire.”
“They were devoted friends of the superintendent, were they not?”
“Yes, sire; friends who would have given up their lives for Monsieur Fouquet.”
“They have given them, monsieur,” said the king.
“That is true;—but uselessly, by good luck,—which was not their intention.”
“How much money had these men fraudulently obtained?”
“Ten millions, perhaps; of which six have been confiscated.”
“And is that money in my coffers?” said the king with a certain air of repugnance.