At this word, at this name, Colbert made so marked a movement, that the king turned round to enforce the necessity for reserve. Fouquet did not appear to be the least in the world concerned by the movement of Colbert, or the king’s signal.
“Monsieur,” continued Louis, “you have then fortified Belle-Isle?”
“Yes, sire; and I have brought the plan and the accounts to your majesty,” replied Fouquet, “I have expended sixteen hundred thousand livres in this operation.”
“What to do?” replied Louis, coldly, having taken the initiative from a malicious look of the intendant.
“For an aim very easy to seize,” replied, Fouquet. “Your majesty was on cool terms with Great Britain.”
“Yes; but since the restoration of King Charles II. I have formed an alliance with him.”
“A month since, sire, your majesty has truly said; but it is more than six months since the fortifications of Belle-Isle were begun.”
“Then they have become useless.”
“Sire, fortifications are never useless. I fortified Belle-Isle against MM. Monk and Lambert and all those London citizens who were playing at soldiers. Belle-Isle will be ready fortified against the Dutch, against whom either England or your majesty cannot fail to make war.”
The king was again silent, and looked askant at Colbert. “Belle-Isle, I believe,” added Louis, “is yours, M. Fouquet?”