“La Fontaine, the rhymester?”

“Yes; he used to write verses to my wife, when M.

Fouquet was one of our friends.”

“Go to him, then, and try and procure an interview with the superintendent.”

“Willingly — but the sum itself?”

“On the day and hour you arrange to settle the matter, Monsieur Vanel, you shall be supplied with the money, so do not make yourself uneasy on that account.”

“Monseigneur, such munificence! You eclipse kings even — you surpass M. Fouquet himself.”

“Stay a moment — do not let us mistake each other: I do not make you a present of fourteen hundred thousand francs, Monsieur Vanel; for I have children to provide for —